Finding Hope

Day 51: Ruth 2-4

Poor Naomi. I really feel sorry for her. She lost her husband, two sons and one daughter-in-law all in a very short period of time. Yes, she still has Ruth (for whom she was thankful), but this doesn't diminish the pain of losing a husband and the two children she had borne. That loss a lot to fathom. Losing a spouse is enough in itself, but to also lose two children. Wow. Children aren't supposed to go before parents. That's why I feel sorry for Naomi.

I've always thought Naomi was just a bitter old woman. But as I'm older now and in a different position than before when I only looked at the story through Ruth's perspective, I can understand Naomi a lot better. And I don't think she's a bitter old woman; rather, I think she's trying to cope with the situation that has been thrown at her. A situation that causes her to doubt and question God. To even lose her faith in Him.

But here comes Ruth, and Ruth brings Naomi the hope that she had lost. Not only does Ruth commit to love her and go with her wherever she will go, therefore giving her love (and a daughter), Ruth also offers Naomi hope through an extended family--in a son (Boaz), and grandchildren. More important than that, though, is that Ruth restores Naomi's hope in God. Naomi feels that God has returned to her when Ruth and Boaz marry. The loss she feels lessens somewhat and she comes to know that God cares for her and that he is watching over her.

We live in a painful time--a time of addictions, car accidents, cancer, mental illness, poverty, hunger, hatred, children dead at too young of ages, stillbirths, and on and on and on. We live in a painful time. Life is not easy--it never has been--and we don't have the answers for all of life's mysteries.

But God does. We can take a lesson from Naomi by grieving and questioning where God is in the midst of all our pain. But we can also find hope. Hope in Jesus' death on the cross. Hope in our families and friends. Hope in nature. Hope in humanity. Hope in kindness, faith, and love. There is hope. Now may not be the time where we are ready to look for it, but it is there waiting for us when we are ready to look. The first place we can look to find it is to the cross. Jesus can give us hope again. He already has, actually; he's just waiting for us to come get it.