In the book of Ruth, we can see the moving story and the sentimental picture of human love. Ruth, as you may recall, is the daughter-in-law of Naomi, who has lost both her husband and two sons. Ruth is encouraged by her mother-in-law to return to her original home to start life fresh. Ruth, instead, has “clung” (Ruth 1:14) to Naomi and vowed:
“… Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
The two women then journey together from Moab to Naomi’s homeland of Bethlehem. When the townspeople come to greet them, Naomi speaks of disfavor and complete emptiness.
If Ruth had any daydreams that there would be immediate lull in Naomi’s hometown, she would have been sadly mistaken. Naomi carried the pain with her. And now the two widows faced the bleak likelihood of fending for themselves.
Ruth had two choices. She could sink into hopelessness Or she could put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
In the story we see that she has found a way to get food—the dropped or discarded remnants of grain from the fields—so that the two women can survive. Ruth had a plan. She has turned in her own grief and took action upon herself to survive.
There are lessons to be told here as I read, and certainly contentment is a product of those lessons.
This story in Ruth portrays a woman who’s made a choice and is honoring that commitment with faith and action. She is a woman without a husband in a foreign community facing hunger and poverty.
But she is not defeated. She has faith. She has hope. She is abiding in times of uncertainty and change without hopelessness nor complaint.
She then was compensated for and richly rewarded for her devotion and determination.
Content people are enduring people.
It’s about living our lives with a spirit of gratefulness and ever-ignited Hope.
Changing what needs to be changed. And aspiring to a state of peace and grace around what can’t. Then waiting for our reward.
Are you content with your life? I know I am… Thank You for reminding me Lord.
6 Comments
May 29, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Content? YES.
Isn’t content a strange word? It evokes various emotions from different people.
Personally, I think it is great to be content. Some people aren’t satisfied being content. They want to be ‘happy’. Content, to them, is settling for something less than whatever they think it would take to make them happy. For me, learning to be ‘content’ is part of what God has done in my life to bring me joy. By being content in who I am and what I have, I have found joy in the little things in life.
Great post sister!! As always:)
Love and Blessings……
May 29, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Heidi, you always have the greatest pics to go with your posts. You must be a great surfer. My husband can find cool things like you do as well. I think I’m coveting
Great post. It has taken me, well, forever so far to find contentment with ME, in HIM. I know who I am is because of who He is. I love who He is ’still’ making me!
Blessings!
May 29, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I had a mother that was not content in anything, her home, her children etc. I really spent some years overcoming lack of contentment. I realized that the only person who can help me is the Lord. He helped me to come to a place that I am content by not comfortable. I mean that being uncomfortable in a Godly way. If I am too comfortable I will not grow in Him and I want to grow every minute of the day. But, I am not looking for worldly items to fill me and make me content. I also know that God will provide all that I need and all that I will ever need. He knows what I need before I even know. I am glad and I know that I am loved. Thank you so much for the post, it touched my heart. Blessing to you and your family
May 29, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I love the story of Ruth and Naomi (and Boaz). Not 1/2 hour ago, I was at Starbucks with a friend. We were talking about happiness and contentedness. To me, being happy is a transient emotion. I see you, I’m happy to see you and what’s left is contentedness. I’m always content. I’m always filled with joy. I’m not, however, always happy. Yes, my sweetness, I am very content.
Thanks for asking.
May 30, 2008 at 3:18 am
sometime too content
May 30, 2008 at 5:23 am
Yes I am content.