The compelling story of one woman’s loyalty, compassion and faith.
“The image she described was gripping. I could picture the three women standing there, hugging each other and saying their goodbyes, their eyes filled with tears. Yet, in the midst of all their sorrow and grief, one woman made a decision that would change her life.” ------excerpt for the “in this issue”
As I walked in the room, I immediately felt the warmth and compassion of the young woman sitting before me. Her eyes lit up when she spoke, her voice kind and gentle as she greeted me. I didn’t know what to expect when I came to visit Ruth and hear her story firsthand. I had heard of her before, but I didn’t realize how remarkable her journey was. Her story began long ago, in …show more content…
Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” Orpah left, heeding Naomi’s advice but Ruth stayed and “clung to [her].” Ruth’s display of loyalty and compassion was unbelievable. She clearly had a future in Moab, yet she decided to stay with Naomi. “I wasn’t going to leave her. I just couldn’t. And that’s what I told her. Where she went, I would go with her, her people would become my people and her God would be my God.” So Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem together. Despite all their sorrows and sufferings, God had a plan for them. “I remember when I was in Bethlehem, I decided that I would go and glean in a wheat field. Hopefully, I would find favor with the person who owned the field.” Miraculously, the field where Ruth went to glean belonged to Boaz, a relative of Elimelech. “It was commonplace for the corners of the field to be left for those in need to glean but he went out of his way to be kind to me.” Ruth didn’t realize who Boaz was until Naomi told her that night. Boaz could be the the kinsman redeemer for Ruth.