Ruth 1:16 “But Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For where you go I will go and wherever you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God, my God.”
I have always loved the story of Ruth. I have loved the devotion that Naomi and Ruth showed to each other and the love they showed by looking out for the other person’s needs ahead of their own wants. That is how God designed families to be.
For those who know us, you will completely understand when I say, I call my husband my Boaz. So that makes his sweet
mother my Naomi, right?! My Mother-in-law (my Naomi) is a sweet German lady who is proud of her German heritage. I love the interaction between my husband and her in their very straight forward way and their love for each other is evident to all who know them.
In our household we are in the season of caregiving for my mother-in-law. She has had many health issues, and there are many unique challenges this past year and a half. She has had a smile on her face through most of these challenges, and she is one of the few people I know who actually love hospital food!
Then there is me! I will have to be honest and say I am not like Ruth at all. She was totally submissive to what Naomi told her to do, and did it with grace and dignity. Me, not so much! I wish I could say I always have a sweet spirit, but all to often my selfishness comes through. The Lord reminds me that I am to put her needs ahead of mine during this season we are in.
I reminded my husband the other day that we are blessed to be able to be there to help her every day and tell her we love her. He is able to have lunch with her every day and she cherishes that time. Yes, this particular season of caregiving may have its issues, but it is only for a brief period of time and being able to be with her each day is a blessing from God.
