The Quiet Place

As I sit here considering the life of Ruth, I feel a strong desire to have the heart of Ruth. One that is loyal, fearless, and careful to heed the advice of Naomi. One thing Ruth didn’t do was leave Naomi despite Naomi’s arguments. Ruth’s answer was to remain loyal to Naomi. She looks sweetly at her grieving mom-in-law and whispers, “ Your people will be my people and your God will be my God .” I n the face of her own great loss, she had every excuse to abandon Naomi, and no one would have faulted her. Yet, she laid down her pride, wants, and desires to ensure Naomi was taken care of and she chose to follow our amazing God. Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “ It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed .” Ruth, knowing that she was dependent on the kindness of Naomi’s distant relative Boaz, Ruth’s desire to work in his fields is confirmed by Naomi. Ruth knew enough to know she didn’t kno...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Meg sharing her heart on this month's theme Ruth. You can learn more about Meg and her blog on the about page.  Many times we read through stories in the Scripture and we tend to gloss over them or maybe think “oh that was a nice story.” But do you realize that each and every word in Scripture has a purpose? Each story is pointing toward the Redeemer… toward the perfect plan of Jesus Christ. That’s just what the book of Ruth is. A story that some can look over and not really grasp the full meaning of. Or maybe even get caught up on what exactly she did at Boaz’s feet the night she laid on the threshing floor with his covering.   Side note: I don’t believe she did anything seductive.   One study I read said that it was common in that time for servants to lie at their master’s feet and share coverings. I think this was her asking for him to be her redeemer. Ok… back to the ov...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have a guest post from Tabitha. She is sharing her heart on this month's theme Ruth. You can learn more about Tabitha and her blog in her bio at the end of the post.  Naomi had to have been in a bad place – spiritually and emotionally. She had nothing left to give. In her mind, there was no hope for her or her daughter-in-laws. To think that the journey you must travel has to be done alone- it was a bitter pill to swallow indeed. And yet, Ruth demands a place by Naomi’s side with no expectation of anything in return.   “When Naomi saw that Ruth had her heart set on going with her, she gave in.” Ruth 1:18 Ruth is the picture of Christ and of how the church is called to be – how we, as sisters in Christ, ought to demonstrate our love towards one another. Even as Ruth lovingly chose to remain with Naomi, Naomi struggled with the reality of her hardships. As the pair entered in to town, she remained despondent and hope...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Melanie, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme Ruth. You can learn more about Melanie and her blog on the about page.  This isn't the Christmas story you’d expect.   No manger, no star, no wise men. However, it is a narrative full of great suffering, a newborn babe, and a redeemer.  An interweaving of courage, grief, and grace as real people live ordinary lives.   It's not the story of Jesus; yet it’s ALL about Jesus. I’m referring to the book of Ruth.   It’s all about Christ because Ruth’s choices directly impacted the lineage that led to Christ’s birth. Naomi and Ruth were grieving.   Their men dead.   Naomi losing her namesake, as both sons died.    Her husband also deceased. Naomi knew she had no future as a widow—a nobody in their society, living rejected lives. In grace and kindness, Naomi tells her daughter-in-laws to go back to their famili...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Victoria, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme Ruth. You can learn more about Victoria and her blog on the about page.  “The life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there.” John Piper Four falls ago, just before my 20 th birthday, I had the opportunity to move to Plymouth, MA to complete my student teaching requirements. I was young and I had no idea what I was in for. It wasn’t always easy, but those months were nothing short of amazing. About a week after I arrived, I had a stirring in my soul for the book of Ruth. After reading it several times, I got on to Desiring God LINK: http://www.desiringgod.org/ and typed “Ruth” into the search bar. My search returned a four part sermon series that would change my life. I spent the month of September listening to those sermons and allowing them to guide my study. I began to see that sometimes circumstances an...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Kiki sharing her heart on this month's theme Ruth. You can learn more about Kiki and her blog on the about page.  I'm not exactly sure how old Ruth was when her husband died, but I imagine that she was probably not much older than you and me. When I think of her circumstances, I instantly think of the heartbreak, the sadness, and the tragedy that she faced. Not only had her husband died, but her father-in-law and brother-in-law had as well. She, her sister-in-law, and her mother-in-law were all widows. And after all of this had happened, Naomi, her mother-in-law, told her to return home. To go back to her hometown. And that's when I'm amazed and inspired by Ruth's bold response. "Ruth replied,  “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God"  (Ruth 1:16, NLT). Can y...

Happy December Friends! Wow, I can't tell you how much I don't believe that it is already December! This year has been FULL of so many things for me, as I'm sure it has for you as well. Today I am excited to announce to you that are theme for December is... This month we'll be focusing on the book and life of Ruth. We have some really great posts coming your way this month and I can't wait for you to read them! ALSO, this year we turn TWO!!! We've loved growing with you and can't wait to celebrate are blogiversary!  I hope you'll join us!