Day Nine – Ruth 2:1-13

Day 9 – Ruth 2:1-13

I was struck by a simple phrase in today’s reading. It’s found in Ruth 2:3. “So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.” The phrase that stands out is, “as it happened.” What’s fun about this, is that we know why it happened, don’t we? God had a plan and so Ruth “just happened” to end up in the fields of the one man God had chosen to help her. That is just such FUN!!

Let’s remember some of the scriptures we read last week, shall we? First of all, there’s the gleaning of the fields. As we read, God instructed His people to leave behind grain for the poor when they harvested their fields. Boaz, a godly man, obviously obeyed that command as Ruth wasn’t the only one who found her way to a field where gleaners were welcome. Second of all, let’s remember that Boaz is the son of Rahab, another foreign woman who chose God over her own country and gods. Boaz would have a unique affinity with Ruth because he is the son of a foreigner. I love how this all “happened” – don’t you?

Have you ever had things just “happen” that in retrospect were clearly a gift from God? I had a little thing happen today as I sit here typing this lesson. I am typing this commentary on April 22^nd, getting ahead for all of you, so that I am sure the lessons are done in time. As it happened, today was the day I penned “Selah Day” on my calendar at the beginning of April. I always write in the day I plan to spend with the Lord early in a month, because my days fill quickly. This was an open day, so I wrote Selah Day in big letters in the day planner I use. I thought nothing more of it. This morning, I headed out to my favorite beach, Ogunquit Beach in Maine. It was a glorious day, with puffy clouds in the sky and bright sunshine! I sang along to Christy Nockels in my car as I drove the 45 minutes to the beach and the walk I take along the rocky shore as well.

I walked the rocky shore first, had a simple lunch and read a book, Spiritual Rhythm, by Mark Buchanan while I ate. Then, I was so full of joy at the weather, I took a second walk on the beach. It was while I was walking and talking with the Lord that He reminded me. On April 22^nd, 1962, I asked Jesus into my heart. I always know the date because it’s the day before my brother was born. So. All of a sudden I realized I had just turned 60 years old in the Lord!!  And there we were, God and I, enjoying the sun and wind and ocean waves together. I know. Perhaps others would think it just happened. But I know God was behind the whole thing and it made a great day even better.

How about you? Have you had things “just happen” like that? I hope so. They are like hugs from God. What verse did you choose? Share in the comments. We want to know.

My verse: Ruth 2:7 “She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She’s been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”

My response: Thank You, Lord, for this story of Ruth. She’s confident enough to not slink in the shadows. She asks if she can glean. How polite of her! And then she just quietly does the work. Grief does not derail her to the point of paralysis. She knows she and Naomi need food. So she works hard to provide it for them the only way she can as a woman. No wonder she was noticed. There’s a dignity about her, even in her humble circumstances.