Beautiful Days Spent with Ruth

The most common spot to find me, y’all, is right at the very corner of our kitchen table, having Bible study.  I believe that routine developed originally, because I needed lots of space to keep my Bible and notebooks and highlighters and journals and Scripture memory cards in place all day long.  When My Girl was a ‘baby baby’ and napping six times a day, during each one, I’d be at the table having Bible study.  As she grew-up and my ‘times for study’ shifted, the one constant, besides the Word of God, was that I loved having all of my Bible study needs in place each day…waiting for me to pop in and out, every chance I could.

It helped me so much to be immersed in God’s Word.  I was blessed by all that I was learning and I was changing and growing all the time…

Many of you see me now and think that this life is the life I’ve always had…thankful and confident in my relationship with the Lord.  That isn’t the case, at all.  What really happened is this:  He called me and I came to Him and then I sat and learned and grew ever closer.

As more and more of y’all have asked about a book of the Bible to read…for someone who is ‘new’ in coming to God’s Word, I can tell you that there are many.  Indeed, that’s true…but I adore The Book of Ruth.  In the genealogy of this very short book, we learn so much.

For example, we find that God chose Ruth and she was an ancestor of King David.

Later, in Matthew 1:5, we learn that she is one of four women named in the genealogy of Jesus.

I feel such a close affinity for Ruth; indeed, I too, have a mother-in-law (who has graciously become a Mom to me!!!), who has helped and blessed me so!

And, many of y’all know that my Chief of Staff is indeed a Boaz in my life, ‘spreading the corner of his garment on me,’ as we see in Ruth 3:9, for all these years.

And, of course in Ruth herself, I see so many qualities to emulate.  She is filled with love for her family, obedience, faith, humility, graciousness, and an unmistakable work ethic.

It is her servant’s heart, her obedience and her joyful attitude toward working hard that ultimately put her in exactly the right spot for the Lord to change her life circumstances.

As many of y’all have so graciously reached-out to me and let me know that a proper time of Bible study together this fall is absolutely something that you’d like me to continue to explore, I’ve continued to pray about this.

Each time I bring this possibility to the Lord, He takes me straight back to Ruth.  I’ve studied her quite a bit.  And, I believe that could have been in preparation for a time of study together with y’all.

Please continue to let me know your thoughts and be as specific as possible.  Would a study of Ruth fill your hearts with ‘newness’ and wonder?

And then, if there are days and times each week that are just perfect for you, please let me know that, as well!

Thank y’all so much!!!

Let me close with one of my favorite passages from Ruth, taken from the second chapter in her story.  For me, this verse encapsulates both her spirit and her grace and makes me want to spend as much time with her as I can…

 

“She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’  She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”

~~~Ruth 2:7~~~

 

May Our Father richly bless y’all this day,

Shannon