Just like Ruth

We have a giant Weeping Willow tree in our backyard. I love this tree and enjoy sitting under it in the peaceful summer evenings listening to the gentle breeze flowing through the swinging limbs. The swishing sound from the slim whip like branches feels me with peace that comes from childhood. But after a day and night of high winds blowing through our area, the tree is not my friend. We walked out this bright and sunny morning to a backyard covered in branches and leaves. Though the limbs are slender, they must be picked up before we mow. As I walked large backyard, bent at the waist picking up the tiny sticks, my mind wandered to Ruth. Ruth worked in the brutal heat and glaring sun gleaning the left over wheat to support her widowed mother in law. I thought how hard this must have been. The stooping o for hours on end just to provide a small amount of food. But she was taking care of her loved one. Giving of herself to provide food for them both. We are called to help each other. And even though Ruth had no obligation to Naomi, she worked. She worked to take care of her and God provided that useless left over wheat so they would not starve. He also provided a Kinsman Redeemer. Someone to pay the price and save one from certain destitution and death. Ruth and Naomi, as women, had no means to support themselves after the men in their world died. They needed a savior. I also thought of all Ruth and Naomi had to do to follow the Law just to be in obedience to God. They had to sacrifice, what little they had, follow countless rules and rituals. All of this on top of daily working in the sun just to stave off starvation. I stood up and stretched the aching muscles in my back and thought how thankful I am that God sent Jesus to be my Redeemer. I don't have to follow the old Law of Biblical times and need a kinsman redeemer. Just like Boaz paid the price for Ruth and Naomi, Jesus has paid the price for our salvation. And all we have to do is believe and accept Him. Boaz saved Ruth and Naomi from certain death. Jesus saves us from death by promising us everlasting life. Ruth had a hard life. Sometimes I too feel like life has been so hard. But just as I knew that tomorrow, I would pay the price with aching muscles, I felt peace that I didn't have to pay that price daily. Thankfully, Jesus saw to that. I continued picking up the limbs thanking God that while times have often been hard, the best is yet to come. This is not my home. I am just visiting and some day I will live in a place called Heaven where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow. And no more sore muscles. Thank you Jesus for paying the price.