Tag: stranger

Ruth’s Loveliness: The Graceful Stranger

Ruth’s reputation for kindness was widely known in Naomi’s hometown. However, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, became increasingly bitter over time. She carried the weight of her uncertain future, grieving the loss of her husband and two sons, and enduring the hardships of life and emotional distress. Ruth faced the challenge of living with a bitter individual, an experience that may not have been pleasant.

Despite being advised to leave Naomi and pursue a prosperous life as a young widow, Ruth chose to remain by her side. She refused to give up on her identity and stayed in her rightful place. As a foreigner and stranger in the land, she had little reason to depend on her deceased husband’s family. The family’s wealth and reputation had diminished, and their desires went unfulfilled. Nevertheless, Ruth did not return to her parents and her homeland. Instead, she extended kindness to her mother-in-law (the only existing member of her deceased husband’s family).

Ruth’s good deeds and kindness earned her commendation. Boaz, recognizing her goodwill, believed that the Lord would reward her for her faithfulness and kindness. Despite her circumstances, Ruth determined that her identity was to position herself and find safety and protection under the wings of the Lord. She displayed determination, purpose, kindness, adaptability, and grace, pushing her limits and embracing change.

May we also seek solace in our Heavenly Father’s love, just as Ruth, a stranger, found favor and peace beneath God’s wings.

Taken from Scripture:

11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

13 Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”

Strong & blind versus Humble & trusting

A beautiful young woman in her late 40s came home from work, thinking to herself “What a long day, it’s been! As she was nearing home, she found her front door had been broken in and entered by some stranger. Trembling from head to toe, she was wondering whether it was safe to enter her own home. Despite her fears, her eyes looked around to her safe keep and wondered if everything were safe.

Her furniture had been broken. It appeared as if someone had rummaged her whole house, and tried their wit’s end to access her safe keep. Her dark and gloomy house with all bits and pieces of her things scattered everywhere said a lot about the strangers and their needs. She was the only person living in her house. She had no companion with her. She was desperate for help.

In a panicky scene right before her, her heart was melting away with sorrow and her fears giving way to weird imaginations. She turned around to the wall and prayed to God quietly mumbling in her heart, “Please Lord, remember me and my prayers and vows to you”. She continued her search for her trinket box where she kept her valuables. To her surprise, she found it. That small area of her house was untouched and undisturbed by the stranger. Although the whole house was a mess, she gladly put forth her statement to her neighbours that her trinket box with all her valuables were indeed safe.

This was the Lord’s doing. It is still marvellous in our eyes. She is indeed a happy woman enjoying the love of God and the riches of His grace.