“And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter-in-law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it” (Ruth 4:14-16).
Ruth bore Boaz a son. When that baby was born, Naomi was re-born. The once bitter
“Mara” became Naomi again. Little Obed brought much joy to her life. This grandma felt her life take on new meaning. She sensed new purpose in life. She would be part of Obed’s life.
As history records, Ruth, the Moabite, became the great grandmother of King David. Only in the mind of God could this story ever be scripted.
As I reflect on this, precious memories flood my soul. A year and a half after the passing
of my husband, God placed something in my arms that would fill a big void in my life. In
November, 2006, I became a first-time grandma. When I held that precious baby girl in my arms, all the weeks and months of tears and heartache seemed to vanish. I know how Naomi felt because I, too, felt re-born.
I hope this entire study has given you a different perspective on how God cares for widows. For me, it’s been a wonderful reminder, knowing I’m never far from His mind.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for those who have recently lost husbands in tragic deaths (shootings, accidents). Ask God to give these women divine wisdom and the ability to both cope and forgive as they work through their grief.
