True Love—Illustrations in Ruth
She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Ruth 1:20-22a
Was Naomi correct in her assessment? Was it indeed the Almighty who had “dealt bitterly” with her? Was it God who brought her “home again empty”? Had God “testified against” and “afflicted” her by taking away her husband and sons? Reminiscent of Job, we do well to simply entrust her situation to the grace and power of God! He is certainly not the author of evil but rather the great Sustainer amidst evil,the faithful Bringer of all that is good!
And so, the LORD God provided Naomi with Ruth;one who quietly and without presumption accompanied Naomi to her former home in Bethlehem. Their arrival caused a stir among the women of that community. Was it…could it be Naomi, who had finally returned home? Amidst her loss and with sorrow, Naomi urged her former friends to no longer call her Naomi, which means “my pleasantness.” Rather, “Call me Mara,” she said, which means “bitter.” Naomi had departed years before accompanied by a loving husband with two young sons in hand but now returned bereft of all three. Death is no respecter of persons, and its icy embrace seeks to freeze the human heart.
True love, however, supports others amidst the great sorrows of life! Ruth remained close to this older woman whose mind had been overcome by the bitterness and negativity of loss. She remained at her side to wipe away the tears, to embrace her with reassuring arms, and to provide those encouraging words we all need to hear when sorrows in life seek to overwhelm us.
Lord God, help us quietly to serve those overcome by the sorrows of this life. With faithfulness, may we support the Naomi’s in our lives. Give us patience, endurance, and indeed the true love necessary to fulfill our respective roles and callings. Amen.