Ruth 1

“LORD, are you there?  Do you listen to the prayers of a Moabite woman?  I thought you loved me.  You brought a wonderful family into my life, and showed me what it is like to live within your favor.  Now, all I have is three graves.  And the one last glimpse of grace and truth is now walking out of my life.  I watched as my sister kissed Naomi and let her go.  Well, there’s no way I’m going to do that.  I know, she says that she is no longer pleasant, but she’s now bitter, because your hand has been against her, taking away her husband and her sons. I know she wants us to stay. We remind her of the joy that has been taken from her.  But I cannot let her go alone.  Where she goes, I must go. Her God is my God.  My husband trusted you to the end, and so will I.  So, here I am, LORD – clinging to Mara.  Even sorrow is better than the nothingness I had before I met you.  I have renounced all for your kingdom  — because my all is not enough.  I cling to your grace.”   –Ruth