Ruth

Ruth watched her mother-in-law preparing their breakfast. Her knuckles were swollen with arthritis. Her steps seemed a little slower each day. As she kneaded their bread for the day she let a small sigh escape. Ruth knew Naomi was growing tired of this life. She spoke often of her beloved husband and two sons. How will they be remembered? How will their names be carried on?

Ruth remembered the day when she had agreed leave Moab with Naomi. She had been married to her son only a short time. But in that time Naomi, her husband and two sons had become her family. Naomi had taught Ruth everything she knew. She told her about her history, her people, her faith. They had endured famine and poverty together. And they had grieved for their husbands together. After her sons had passed away, it seemed Naomi's only choice was to return to her homeland in Judah. Ruth was faced with the decision to leave her people and everything she had known, or to leave everything she had come to know. She remembered clearly the question in Naomi's eyes as she asked Ruth to choose. And she remembered the whisper in her heart, telling her the way she must go. "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Now Ruth was faced with another decision. Will she face the unkown to care for her family? In order for Naomi's family to continue Ruth would have to marry again. A perfect stranger to her, but one of Naomi's people who would carry on the name of Elimelech. Could she do this? Could she risk the humiliation and disapointment of being rejected? Could she risk her life?

Little did she know that her sacrifice for her aging mother-in-law would one day bring the birth of a child who would sacrifice his life for the world.

Will you also offer your sacrifice? Will you also follow the call?