Ruth 1:15-18

“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”  But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. - Ruth 1:15-18

Dear God,

What burden you had laid on Naomi, to lose her husband and both sons!  But what blessing you gave too.  Ruth was committed to blessing her for the rest of her life.  You have given me faithful family and friends like Ruth.  You have made them willing to support, encourage and bless.  I am asking you now to make me like Ruth.  Make me a faithful family member to all those you have given me.  Help me to be there for them.  Give me eyes to see the need and a heart to meet it, even when it squeezes precious life out of me.  Make me an instrument of your peace and strength for others.  Help me alleviate their losses by being a blessing for them.  And more than anything else, help it all be in your name and for the glory of your grace.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God sends people to help us instead of appearing by himself.