DISCUSSION:
When I think about all the pain and sadness Naomi must have felt after losing her two sons and her husband, I am amazed she found the strength to keep going. Of course, she wasn’t alone. Ruth, the widow of one of her sons, decided to stay with Naomi instead of leaving her alone. She basically told Naomi, “No way am I leaving you! I want to be a part of your people and to worship your God. We’ve got to stick together!” Ruth’s determination to stay loyal to God and Naomi ended up changing their lives. They ended up back in Israel where God gave Ruth an amazing husband, then a baby, and all that she and Naomi ever needed. In fact, further down the family line came King David, and eventually Jesus! Whenever you get tired of doing the right thing or feel like giving up, think about Ruth. She stayed firm in her faith even when it was tough and God blessed her so much. Think about some hardships you or your family has faced. What was the response? Did you appeal to God for help or mercy? How did those situations end up? Let’s resolve to trust in God’s plan for our lives and pray for the guidance and vision to see it through.