Simply Amazing

When we last left, Ruth was in the fields gleaning and Boaz was watching her every move - he was one smitten kitten!  I love today's study because it speaks to something I often struggle with: generosity.  Though gift giving is my love language, I sometimes find it difficult to open my fist and let loose some change.  I'm sure that stems back to childhood in some way, shape or form - doesn't it always?  Today we will see a shining example of generosity.  We will also be introduced to the term 'kinsman redeemer', and OH, what a word it is!!  Well, what are you waiting for??  Let's go!

 Read Ruth 2:14-20

 We see that Ruth gleaned 1 epah of grain.  Scholars estimate this to be somewhere between 30-50 pounds!  Can you imagine? She leaves for work in the morning hoping to find a field to bring something, anything, home and ends up hauling in the mother lode!  Yes, the men helped her out by leaving some sheaves in the field, but she had to do the hard work of bringing it home.  I relate this to the idea of God providing manna for the Israelites as they wandered for 40 long years.  He provided the food {in essence His Grace, or unmerited favor}, but they still had to go out and gather it.  God will provide, we have to do our part as well. 

I'm sure most of you are somewhat familiar with the process of making bread.  We grab the flour, yeast, and so on.  As there were no 'quick marts' back in ancient times, a girl had to grind her own wheat to make the flour, after hours of laborious work just to bring the sheaves in from the field.  I'm sure this was back-breaking work and took much time. Yet, here we see Ruth showing up on Naomi's doorstep with enough grain for the two of them.  "Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough."  Now, that doesn't seem to be a 'knock your socks off' kind of statement but, think this through with me.  Not only did Ruth fill her own stomach, she thought of Naomi and brought enough to fill her's as well.  In that one instant, she moved from dependent, to provider.  Changes everything, doesn't it?  So far we have seen Ruth as committed, loyal, hardworking, and definitely courageous.  We can now add provider to that list.

Up to this point, we have been largely focused on Boaz and his generosity.  He gave much because he had much to give.  It doesn't hurt that he finds her attractive and intriguing as well.  What about Ruth, what does she give from?   Ruth gives out of her need; her poverty.  What an example she sets for all of us!!  Regardless of what we have or don't have, what we possess or what we are in need of, we all have something to give!!  And I'm not just talking finances here ladies.  We can all give of our time, talent, advise, comfort.... the list is endless.  If you have 'it', whatever that 'it' is, don't be afraid to share it!


If you haven't already figured it out, I love Ruth.  I esteem her so highly.  Her circumstances would likely drive any of us to the role of victim.  But not Ruth.  She refused to wear the label of lowly servant girl, foreigner, or one with nothing to offer.  No ma'am, that wasn't was she was going to be.  Yes, those were accurate labels, but they didn't define her.  She had the humility to accept Boaz's generosity and the strength turn around and use it to help someone else.  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

In verse 19 we see Naomi questioning Ruth as to where she worked for the day to bring in that kind of haul.  Simply put, Naomi is astonished.  She then goes on to  'bless the man who took notice of you'.  Ruth tells her that she worked in Boaz's fields and Naomi states that he is "a close relative; he is one of our kinsman redeemers."  If you are like me, the first time I heard that term I had no clue of the significance of it or the concept it represents. {Let me define it for you with a little help from some fancy, schmancy commentary that I can't make heads or tails of in my references.  I'll get to that in the credits at the end.  If I ever finish.}

  Let me just say here that the Hebrew word for this our term kinsman redeemer is goel.  It relates to Israel family law.  It doesn't state a specific relationship, but rather  a role of the nearest close kin and their responsibility to the clan, as directed by law and custom.  No, I'm not hoping to impress you with my knowledge of Hebrew, just giving you all the information I have to bring the picture into sharper focus.

The role of a kinsman redeemer is this:

1.)  To ensure that the hereditary property of the clan never passes out of the clan. {Lev. 25:25-30}

2.)  To maintain the  freedom of the individuals within the clan by buying back those who have sold    themselves into slavery because of poverty. {Lev. 27: 47-55}

3.)  To track down and execute murderers of near relatives. {Num.35:12, 19-27}

4.)  To receive restitution money on behalf of a deceased victim of a crime. {Num 5:8}

 5.)  To ensure that justice is served in a lawsuit involving a relative {Job 19:25; Ps. 119:154; Jer. 50:43}

In short, the main job of the kinsman redeemer is to take over the brothers estate, and if appropriate, marry the widow.  It is important to have a firm grip of this concept.  It not only clarifies Boaz's  role, but will greatly aide in our understanding of Jesus Christ as our kinsman redeemer - the ultimate redeemer.

Finish reading the second chapter of Ruth and we'll close out our day here.  I know it seems as though we never get far in our study, but we do.  It takes me, on average, two hours to get a post up.  Part of that is because I don't want to leave some folks in the dust wondering where I went and where I'm headed.  I want every one to have a clear idea of the historical setting and the cultural references.  It's impossible to get much out of Scripture if you don't have the full context.  The other part is that I'm a slow typist.  Oh, I kid! :0)  I think when the idea to do this popped into my head, I thought it would be a quick 2-3 post thing.  Clearly, that is not how it is turning out to be.  And there is a purpose for it - I'm not sure what that is, but the Lord will use it some way, some how.

Thanks for staying with me.  I'll get back to my other writings just as soon as we wrap up. My boys have called and they are stateside!  I will be back on Monday after a long anticipated reunion - my whole family back under the same roof. 


Blessings,
Kim

A Little Kindness Goes A Long Way

We left off yesterday with Boaz spotting Ruth for the first time.  Ruth was gleaning, Boaz was leaning.  :0)   Curious and apparently already interested, he begins to care for her, tend to her before one even really knows who the other is.  Let's see what happens.

 Read Ruth 2: 4-9

 Do you see Boaz's care and concern for Ruth in his first words to her?  He tells her not to leave his fields and that she is to follow after his servant girls.  He is already tending to her safety by keeping her in a place where he can make sure she is safe.  Essentially he's telling her, "I've got your back."  Boaz's words far exceed Ruth's expectation and hope.  You see, she is keenly aware of the fact that she is a foreigner and would likely never be allowed to glean in an Israelite's fields.  Not only does he allow her to glean, he elevates her to the same status as his female servants - this was more than Ruth could have ever hoped for!  And to top it all off, in verse nine he extends the offer to go get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.  At a cursory glance, this seems a kind act, a nice thing to offer.  But, according to ancient customs, Boaz has just handed her a glass of water on a silver platter.  Traditionally she would be drawing water for the Israelites, not drinking water drawn by Israelites.  That water would have likely been drawn at the city gates and brought back to the fields for the workers.  The kind of time and effort involved in that might very well have taken a large portion of a worker's day.  He's just saved  her a huge headache and dropped an equally huge hint as to his interest level.


 I don't know about you, but I think on times when my sweet husband has taken a stand for me or tried to protect me and I tell you, never has he been more attractive.  There is just something about a man providing for and protecting a woman that gets to me.  You might even go so far as to say he is showing me hesed, just as Boaz did by protecting Ruth from the workers in the fields and taking care of her needs.  He was treating her as a lady ought to be treated!


 Read verses 10-13

 I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a statement:  The men of today notice women primarily for their beauty.  A little wealth and status might be nice too.  Would you agree with that?  I think that is a fair assessment.  Now, go back and read verse 11.  Boaz was interested in Ruth for reasons that supersede beauty.  She brought relatively little to the table, culturally speaking.  She had no position, wealth or power to draw him in.  What did he notice her for?  He noticed her for her CHARACTER!!  Man, that Boaz just gets better and better.

 I am touched by Ruth's response in verse 13.  Ruth understands that technically she is lower than a servant girl.  What can be lower than that?  They had some rights and standing but Ruth didn't even possess that.  Such a humbling thought.   Again, here we see her character shine through.   She was unashamed and pressed forward with the job she had to do.  

Read verse 14 and let's camp there for just a minute.  Scripture doesn't say the amount of time that has passes since verse 13.  But here we find Ruth invited to dine at Boaz's table - nothing short of astonishing!  Here is a lower-than-a-servant-girl invited to dine with the reapers.  She had no entitlement to be there, no right to the meal, no privilege to the table.  And yet she sat.  This was a gift given by a person of extraordinary kindness and the power to do so.  Kindness alone was not enough - power had to be part of the equation.  Ruth needed Boaz to dine at the table, we need Jesus to dine at the King's table.  Without him and his redemptive work in our lives, we could never dine with the King.  We simply are not worthy.

 I know that yesterday I said we would finish the chapter today but there is more to it than I thought.  It seems as though we are breaking Ruth apart, verse by verse.  Not my original intention but, like I said at the beginning of this journey, I've never done this before.  I'm learning as I go and thankful for your interest and patience.  Thank you for all of the kind emails.  They are keeping me going!

 We'll pick up again tomorrow at verse 15 - are you still with me???

Blessings,
Kim

A Little Hard Work Goes A Long Way

Well, at last we have arrived at chapter two!  Did you think we would ever make it?  If you go back and reread the text of chapter one {which I hope you will do}, it takes relatively little time.  I know it seems as though we have taken a short, quick chapter and stretched it out but, I wanted you to get a good feel for the weight of the famine, the depth of Naomi's sorrow and the commitment level of our dear Ruth.  I could have economized on words but, who am I kidding??  I've been on this planet long enough to know that succinct really isn't my style!
  
 On a little side note here: I got an email from a sweet friend who happens to be reading along with our overview of  Ruth.  Her name is Stephanie and I love her to pieces.  We have long studied the Bible together and she never ceases to amaze me with her Scripture recall and depth of insight.  To say I am honored that she is even 'listening' to anything I have to say is an understatement!!  She let me in on a little known fact the other day.  Maybe those of you who follow Oprah know this but it was news to me.  Apparently Oprah's mother's original intent was to name Oprah, ORPAH.  {That name ring a bell??}  The name was misspelled on her birth certificate and thus, Oprah was born.  The prophecy in that situation is profound!!  If you remember from our last time together, Orpah kissed Naomi good-bye and returned home and to her gods.  She choose to walk away from Jehovah God.  Eerily similar to Oprah and her 'church'.  I had no idea of this and thought it so profound I just had to share with you! 

Ok, on with our study.  Turn with me to the second chapter of Ruth in your Bible.  If you are like me and love a good story, are you in for a treat!!  Today we will meet the character who is about to change this whole story - every element.  Enter Boaz.

 Read Ruth 2:1-3

Let's take a look at the first verse.  As before, it doesn't seem to say much but, when we look deep, we see the importance of it.  Now, when Scripture says that Naomi had a relative from Elimelech's side of the family we might be tempted to think, "Great!  She will have a place to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas!"  But this is a significant fact in Israelite family law and custom.  The fact that there is a male relative from her husband's side of the family is the first sign of hope that someone just might be able to help Naomi and her terrible situation.  This goes far beyond a turkey dinner and Christmas gifts.  We'll get to that soon.  For now, know that that is a very important fact.

 We see in this first verse that Boaz was a 'man of standing'.  Hmmm.... what exactly does that mean?  If we go back to the original Hebrew {gibbor hayil} we see that it means, " war hero", "capable person", or "wealthy man".  {Any of you ladies single?:0)}  I can't find any facts to support Boaz being in the military, so in his case it means a "person of high standing".  He was a man of position, power, wealth, and a good reputation.  He likely had much influence in his town and among his peers.

 Verse two tells us that Ruth the Moabitess, {see how that name/label follows her around Bethlehem, but not prior to her return?} was looking for fields to glean in.   The fact that she is a foreigner is emphasized.  It would be highly unlikely that any success comes her way, as her native land was hostile to Israel and her God.  Tuck that away in the back of your head for now.  Ruth sets out to work the fields and glean what she can.  She is a hard worker and is looking for favor from someone who will allow a foreigner to glean from their fields.  After all, she and Naomi need food and she wasn't about to tarry in that department.

It is here that we see the first glimpse of her character.  I would assume that not much time has passed since she has lost her husband; she is still in the thick of the grieving process.  I challenge you here to see her right response to loss.  She gets up and gets to work.  She isn't going to sit around her tent and mope.   No, there's work to be done.  Pieces to pick up and a life to put back together.  Much like the friend I mentioned in the previous post or two.  You get up, hard as it is, and put one foot in front of the other.  Ladies, your character is more important to your man than you know.  When the hard times come -  the diagnosis is cancer, the finances fall apart, the kids are demanding, or the romance has gone -  character holds it together.  

I love verse three, specifically the phrase, "as it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz."  As it turned out, my foot!!!  This is more than just casual coincidence, dumb luck or happenstance.  No, this is the divine hand of Yahweh, alive and active, even in the most mundane circumstances.  Ruth is going about her work and God is going about His.  I love that!!  It strikes me here that there is another theme in the book of Ruth:  God doesn't leave us in hard times.  When we question it the most, He is closest!


 Have you ever felt as though your circumstances have been too hard?  That surely God would never be in the pit with you?  You can't seem to find Him anywhere?  Take heart!  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.  And when God makes a promise, you can trust Him to be faithful.

Read Ruth 2:4-7

I also love how is says; "just then Boaz arrived".  Interesting timing for Boaz to make an appearance in the field for the day.  Scripture never directly states why, but Boaz is intrigued by Ruth, asking whose young woman she was.   The foreman states who she was, her title {Moabitess}, and then goes on to describe her work ethic.  Our blood lines will never be as important as our character and reputation.

As a mom, I take seriously the job of teaching character to my kids.  Hard work is just one value we have the opportunity to teach daily.  I try to emphasize that hard work not only brings blessing, but IS the blessing.  Often I can be heard telling my kids, "Do it nice or do it twice", hoping to instill the knowledge that we will be known by our character and our character always points to God.

Well, it is late and I am tired.  How about you?  We will finish up chapter two tomorrow - I promise the second half will go faster than the first!

See you tomorrow!

Blessings,
Kim

Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Program

The first chapter of Ruth describes a journey:  The journey to Bethlehem and the return trip home.  Undoubtedly, both journeys were surrounded by difficult circumstances, but the trip home finds Naomi and her daughters-in-law in mourning.  A far cry from the mere discomfort of rumbling stomachs on the journey to Bethlehem.

 Read Ruth 1: 7-14

Scripture tells us that though the land traveled was the same in both journeys, the cast of characters returning home was far different.  Naomi was the only one to make both journeys.  She returns to Bethlehem without her beloved or her sons, instead, accompanied by two Maobite women she wishes would just leave her alone and oh, she is so bitter with God.  I doubt she ever envisioned that this is how she would return home.  What she didn't know is that God was already at work in Bethlehem waiting for her and whoever else would come, poised to give grace simply for the taking, just as it is today.  If we will come, He will give.  It's as simple as that.

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home.  May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and me." {v.8}  Unfortunately, English lacks in translation at times and here is just one such example.  The word kindness is a weak translation of the Hebrew word hesed.  {Did you know the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament written in Greek?}  Hesed means to encompass all the positive attributes of God - love, mercy, goodness, grace, kindness, loyalty, benevolence, and covenant faithfulness: basically doing something for someone without any thought of what advantages it might bring to the one who expresses it.  I just wanted to emphasize that here so you have a better understanding of that concept as we go forward - it is a huge theme in the book of Ruth.

 It is at this point that Naomi tries fervently to get Ruth and Orpah to turn back, make a new life for themselves without her.  She even goes so far to tell them that there is really no way she can bear them any future husbands so move on!  Oh, and if that wasn't enough of a reason, she basically mentions that, by the way, "the Lord's hand had gone out against me so it does you little good to stay with me."

 It is here that we see Orpah kiss Naomi good- bye and turn back for home.  Ruth chooses to stay.  I wonder what it was in each of them that helped make their choices.  Were the adversity and sorrow too much for Orpah?  Did Ruth have more determination?

I know that there have been seasons in my life where I had choices to make.  Where all my circumstances were challenging and flat - out frightening.  I was never one to take a risk.  I always preferred to play it safe.  Not until the last several years, as I came into a greater relationship with the Lord, did I understand that I could turn and go back, crying all the way, returning to the 'safe zone'  or I could cry going forward, trusting that God is a good God and only gives good things.  Either way I'm going to cry - it's just what I do!

It is here that we begin to get a glimpse of Ruth's character.  Up to now, Naomi has done all the talking, now it's Ruth's turn.  She is nothing less than adamant that she stay with Naomi.  And Naomi wants nothing to do with that.  Is it because she wants to travel light - be footloose and fancy free?  Or could it possibly have something to do with the fact that she is returning home with a Moabite daughter-in-law?  Scripture never says, I just have to wonder. 

 At the end of our time today, we see that Naomi and Ruth finally arrive in Bethlehem - did you ever think we were going to get here?? { I am on verses 19-21 in chapter one.}  Go there with me to finish out our time.  I'm particularly intrigued by the statement that says, "... the whole town stirred because of them."  That right there tells me that Naomi was a woman of significance in her own hometown.   Others remembered her and were excited to have her back in their fold.   She was married to a prominent man in the town, was the mother of two sons and was a part of the nation of Israel.  These attributes alone made her a woman of great importance and rich beyond measure.

Contrast that with the woman who just arrived back in town.  It is difficult for us in this day and age to really comprehend the importance placed on child bearing in ancient times.  Nowadays we are more focused on individual success.   In ancient cultures, all focus was on the family.  All your dreams were were for your family's success and prominence.  There was little more important than raising children to love and honor you and walk in your ways.  Nothing was tantamount to that!  Barrenness was a horrible, shaming condition.  We can assume the same to be true for those who bore children and lost them, as well.

 It would be hard to miss Naomi's bitterness, at this point.  She left a woman of prominence and returned home empty.  She quickly tells people to no longer refer to her as Naomi {meaning 'lovely'} but to call her Mara, meaning 'the Lord has made my life bitter.'  Little did she know that the Lord was at work - literally underground.  The final verse in chapter one states that the barley harvest was just beginning.  His goodness was cropping up all around them!  Now, the mention of barley harvest may not thrill you, but for me I see it as a reminder of God's provision, sustenance, and hope - a reminder that God's timing is perfect!

Join me next week as our story unfolds into the manifest provision of our amazing God and an introduction to a biblical 'dreamboat'.

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Kim

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Program For...

LIFE!!!  That's what I am interrupting my Ruth series for!   I know at my last post I said I would be here tomorrow to continue with our story but then life happened.

 You see, my oldest is a Boy Scout and he and my sweetie, along with 48 other fathers and sons, have been planning {for months} a trip to the Northern Tier area, otherwise known as Boundary Waters.  It is a fantastic trip to the US/Canada border.  They will be on canoes {in groups of 8 or so - two dads, one guide, 5 boys} for nine days, covering about 80 miles.  They will see moose, bear, wolves - anything but another group of humans or anything man made for nearly TWO WEEKS!!!  Needless to say, this is a huge trip in many ways.  The preparation has been endless and expensive and exhausting.

 Well, wouldn't you know it, just days before they were scheduled to leave, my sweetie is moving cattle up to one of our pastures {because at this point we still had days to prepare!} and what are normally completely docile creatures, went completely rogue!!!!  He opened the trailer, they paused, then went berserk!  One jumped the pasture fence and all the others followed but just decided to bust through the fence.  You gotta love that herd mentality.  Sort of.

FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!!!!

 We aren't sure what sent them over the edge but we believe it might have been the presence or lingering scent of a bear or mountain lion.  There wasn't any we could see, but both have been seen near that pasture earlier this year.  Regardless, they were having nothing to do with calmly grazing like the other 150 herds we've had in that same pasture.

Todd then spent the next 72 hours, no kidding - he slept 4 of those 72 hours, trying to coax them down from the mountain and into the pasture.  He enticed them with water {they'd had none for almost 48 hours}, he bribed them with cow chow, and I think he may or may not have offered them $100 each if they would just behave as cattle should.  They were a tough sell and wanted nothing to do with it.

 Meanwhile, back at home, time's burnin.  There are no fewer than a million things that need to be done before they can depart for this trip of a lifetime and the vast majority needed my husband's participation or presence.  There was washing, labeling, and packing.  There were bills to be paid, budgets to be done and special t-shirts to be ordered and rush delivered.  There were forms to be filled out, meetings to be had and devotionals to be written for all the crews.

 It was crazy,  and the majority of that was accomplished in the wee hours of the night.  And morning.  Yep, we pulled an all-nighter.  Just like back in college.  I swore I would never do that again as I really never developed a fondness for feeling as though I had been hit by a truck, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

  

 And to top it all off, because things weren't crazy enough as we rushed out the door at 4:30 A.M.,  Todd noticed that his passport had EXPIRED 10. days. ago.  I think he thought we'd covered that a hundred times, I thought he'd checked it many times over, etc.  How did we miss that??!!  At this point, after no sleep, not one wink, we were both ready to lay on the floor kicking and screaming, wondering if they were truly meant to be on this trip.  Could anything be more difficult???

 Ready to fall apart, we just surrendered it to the Lord - what else could we do?  Just trust that He is sovereign and that what will be, will be.  The cows are still high up in the mountains, holding firm to their position.  The boys are on their way and I believe they can remedy the passport issue in Minnesota.  The bills got paid, the devotionals written and they have all they need for the next two weeks packed alongside them.  If they are missing something, they'll find a way to work it out.  After all, they are Boy Scouts, right?

So, I guess my long winded point is this:  I'll get back to my series on Ruth in a day or so when I can complete a thought and can focus my mind on something other than the craziness of the last 72 hours.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.  Oh, and if you wouldn't mind lifting a prayer for my boys, for their safety, for a great time together like they may never get again, for God to impact their lives as He never has before.  I have heard that Boundary Waters is remarkable - nothing short of amazing.  I'm praying just that over my boys.

Blessings,

Kim

Every Journey Begins With One Step

Well, here we are!  Do you have your passport?  Did you pack your most comfy shoes?  {Oh gracious, they are so cute!}  And because I'm a mother I just have to ask, did you pack enough clean underwear??

Alright then, the whistle has blown, the conductor is looking our way.  Give him your ticket and let's leave this platform behind - there are rails to ride and a story to know!  Oh, your ticket?  No worries, it's just an open heart and a willingness to listen.  Come on, the train is leaving!

 Turn in your Bible to the book of Ruth.  It is in the Old Testament {front half of the Bible} and is nestled between Judges and 1 Samuel.  Once there, carefully read verses 1-2.  I know that isn't a very big chunk, and on the surface doesn't seem to hold much information, but it is important to understand the context here before we move ahead in the story.  The story of Ruth takes place in the time of the Judges, a period of time {about 450 years} when God raised up Judges to rule over Israel.  You can read Judges 2:11-19 to get a better idea of the feel of the culture at that time.  In a nutshell, these verses point out that the people had a history of turning to God when they needed Him, and forgetting Him when they didn't;  a fair-weather friend, you might say.

 Verse one also states that Elimelech was from Bethlehem in Judah, located in ancient Israel.  That makes him and his family Israelites, important to tuck away in your memory as we go forward.  They were leaving their homeland and heading to Moab because of a severe famine in their own land.  No big deal, right?  If you're hungry, go where the food is!  However, we see in Deuteronomy 23:3-6 that the Lord had commanded the Israelites to "not seek a treaty with them {Moabites} as long as you live" {Deut. 23:6}.  This was not a simple journey, they were headed into enemy territory, a place they shouldn't be.  That information changes the whole tone of their journey, doesn't it?  Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, had a tough decision to make - stay in the land the Lord had provided {think: Israel - the land of milk and honey} or go to the bountiful land that was off limits.  We soon see that they picked the latter.

Before we know it, Elimelech has died and Naomi is left with her two sons.  Interestingly enough, both Mahlon and Kilion marry Moabite women.  Remember, these were not people they were to fraternize with, let alone MARRY.  Kilion marries Orpah {no, not Oprah} and Mahlon marries Ruth.  Let me make a quick explanation here:  God had told the Israelites not to marry people of other nations not because of their race, but rather their potential rejection of Him.

  And as if losing her husband wasn't enough, in just ten short years she has lost both sons as well.

  Can you imagine?  Scripture doesn't even begin to hint at how or why they all died - they are just gone.  My heart goes out to Naomi.  I can't even begin to fathom her pain and loss.  The closest I can come to relating to her pain is through a friend's loss of her husband.  Three years ago he was killed in a car accident.  She and her four children were in the car as well and, thankfully, spared.  I have so often thought about her and her new 'normal'.  I can scarcely understand that in one instant, something that was true yesterday, is suddenly false.  There are just some curve balls you can't see coming.

Are you still with me?  Am I making any sense?   Thanks for sticking with me through this.  I think we will stop here for today.  I know it doesn't seem like we have covered much ground, but we have!!  Tomorrow we will take a look at the journey home, the return trip, as that takes the rest of the chapter.

Tomorrow we will get a better look at our main character and the remarkable woman she is.  Charming, elegant, gracious - uncommon for her time.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll get right back to you!!

Blessings,
Kim

Are You Up For A Little Road Trip?

Ok... this is new for me.  I'm going to branch out and do something I've always wanted to do and that I am passionate about.

 I'm going to walk you through the book of Ruth.  Yep, I'm packing my bags {a vintage suitcase}, and donning my most comfortable traveling shoes {how about some cute red flats??}, and I'm preparing for a fantastic journey.  Ruth has got to be one of my favorite books of the Bible.  It's not too long {only four chapters}, not too lofty {I'm no great theologian} and it is full of the sovereignty of God, all woven into one great love story.  What more could a girl want?  It's the perfect summertime escape without ever leaving the comfort of your favorite chair.  Or in my case, my favorite pool chaise!

So for the next two or three days we will journey through the book of Ruth, taking time to see how this ancient story can still be relevant today.  And like I said, I'm no great theologian, just a girl with a heart for the Lord - can I ask for your grace and patience in this new writing endeavor?   Thanks! { I thought the three of you who actually read this blog would be merciful!! :0)}

So grab your Bible and your best traveling shoes and let's GO!!!

Blessings,
Kim

Because It All Belongs to Him

Tomatoes at twilight.  Juicy, red globes waiting for the picking.

Tangy, earthy loam of wet garden dirt hangs in the air after sky coming down in slow time.

We sit around the fire and eat that which He has provided and the youngest one starts to giggle while eating corn straight off the cob.  He's grinning all silly and she joins in because who is immune to the infectious giggle?

And I listen.  Listen to their laughter.

  It is the song of the seraphim.  The singing of angels. 

Across the circle sits that man of mine and we lock eyes and he winks and smiles.  And his smile lights up the whole block and a rush of exhale takes me back to the excitement of young love.  I smile thinking this: nearly seventeen years later, he can still entirely undo me.

Later, the marshmallows and chocolate and grams come out to the whispered, emphatic,"yes!!"  And we are all sticky sweet with  sugar goodness.

We gaze up at His heaven, that inky indigo, and talk long about stars and constellations and His hand making something so beautiful out of nothing.   The oldest knows so much, just like his dad.  They point to diamonds hanging in night's black and make the warrior and bear and dippers come to life for the younger ones.  Celestial dot-to-dot.

I look at them and suddenly I am surrendered to them.  To Him.  And just for a moment, in the middle of this night of ordinary, I see how ridiculously beautiful this life is!

This wondrous mess?  This is it!

And it all comes from Him and it all belongs to Him.

To the Lord your God belongs the heavens,
even the highest heavens,
the earth and everything in it.

Deuteronomy 10:14

And I kneel low in darkened rooms near sleeping heads and I give thanks.  Not for the things, no, thanks is never for the things, but for His touch.  His ever present, ever grace-filled touch.


Blessings,
Kim

For When You Just Need To Know He Is Near...

 

 

 

Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindness 

of God in your daily life. 

-Alexander Maclaren

617. summer tan on small shoulders

618. stripes of lunar light lay across our cotton

619. washing the ranch from between summer toes

620. waking to a rising sun, savoring summer's early cool

621. lemon scented dish soap

622. cricket's song ushers in the evening

...... and the list of His endless grace goes on and on.......

Forever May She Wave

I love the 4th of July.

 I adore red, white, and blue.

 I'm highly partial to family and barbequing and kids playing with cousins and
spectacular displays of fireworks.

But most of all I love this flag and what it stands for.

This weekend, take a moment to kneel before the Lord and pray for our country,

it's leaders and the direction we are headed.

Oh, and if you happen to see a soldier, please

 thank him or her for their service.

 We wouldn't be the land of the free

or the home of the brave

without their dedication and service.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!