Long ago, there was a woman named Ruth, who would be one of the ancestors of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. She and her sister-in-law, Orpah, were left in the charge of Naomi, their mother-in-law, after the deaths of both their husbands.
This was a time of great struggle, desolation, and conflict for the land. Naomi, caring for Ruth and Orpah, told them to return to the land of the Moabites and be with their people, since the times were so perilous. Naomi knew, at least in the immediate, that Ruth would have a better life there.
“Go back home,” Naomi said. “May the Lord show kindness to you as you have shown to the dead and to me. My life is too bitter for you to share. The Lord’s hand has turned against me.”
Yet, Ruth stands by Naomi and the Lord Above All, refusing to leave her side. “Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you,” Ruth said. “For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me, and do so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
In so doing, Ruth continues to endure much hardship, for a little while. Yet, in due time, she meets and is betrothed to Boaz, and her family’s estate is enriched beyond anything they had before. This due to Ruth’s faithfulness, honor, duty, and integrity in all her circumstances.
There is much to be gleamed from the tale of Ruth. Yet, this day, on this occasion, let us ponder the bounty of new beginnings. Of great new opportunities. Of wonderful days ahead that all begin with leaps of faith into times unknown, and waters uncertain.
May we all do our best in all that be, and carry on toward every morn till all is well, knowing full well that each dark day is not the end; and brighter days are always sure to come.
Something new and something grand
So much to do, so much at hand
Who knows just where, the place to be
Not here but there, you come to see
Where friends come to, and gather round
For love most true, for joyous sound
That is where, it's grand to be
Not anywhere, but here with thee
So come along, and gather close
Where you belong, and find the most
Of all that be, so good and true
To come and see, yet something new
I thank the Lord, here with my friends
He does afford, all our good ends
And by His grace, new seasons come
Joys to embrace, and love therefrom
Thank you to all those in the reading of these words who do all you do to make each day something worthwhile. God bless you, and may God be with you, always.
I performed this piece live at The Green Room last month, seen below.
Check out this haiku series in celebration of springtime. Spring is often used to represent new beginnings, and is entirely fitting for such symbolism.
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