Being a Ruth in a Naomi world. Weathering the storms together.

Everybody needs somebody. In today's world it's hard to find a strong, reliable, dublicateable leader, that you want to follow. When we look at the story of Ruth and Naomi we find a determined follower, and a reluctant leader. Naomi is not reluctant because she doesn't have the goods. As we read through the book of Ruth, we find Naomi to be a well able, well equipped leader. When she had someone, that was loving on her and serving her, she comes back to life. Once again, she is ready to embrace life, and give of herself to a new life--to the next generation. Ruth literally brought Naomi back from bitter to pleasant, as her name implies. She no longer refers to herself as Mara (meaning bitter).

Serving a "Mentor" as a "Mentee" is an honor and a privilege. It is not laborious to sow back, what we have been given. We can assume from the story that Naomi poured into Ruth the milk of the word--so much so she refused to go back to her previous beliefs, and way of life. Naomi changed the course of Ruth's life forever. Ruth was not willing to forget that, and leave Naomi as if nothing has transpired within her. 

​We can experience loss. We can experience hard times, but the word of God, that has been both modeled, and taught to us, will hold us steady like the anchor it is. Our boats may rock but they will not sink. Storms come to all lives if you live long enough. What matters is how you treat people that have weathered the storm with you.

Ruth 1:16 (NIV) "But Ruth replied,
"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
​Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Action Step: Think for a moment today. Who has poured into you? Who has taught you valuable truths that are to this day changing your life? What have you brought into that relationship? Today, find something to pour into the Naomi's in your life.