Ruth Again

Naomi was facing hunger and poverty

As a barren widow in Bethlehem

But Ruth stepped in to fill

The emptiness 

Gleaning became a way to find food

But it would be so little

So Ruth asked Boaz for permission

To work among the harvesters

Rather than the gleaners

His acceptance 

Sent food from the field

And food from the table home for Naomi

In bountiful amounts--

Naomi's joy in God

Began to emerge

As the emptiness began to fill

And soon Naomi noticed Ruth

Recognized her as a foreigner in Israel 

And wanted to find a home for her

A place of protection 

In a land where Moabites were distrusted

Naomi hatched a plan

To get Ruth married

In a time and place where widowhood and barrenness 

Meant misery and hardship 

But Ruth wouldn't leave Naomi behind

She'd accept a husband

Only if the result would elevate Naomi

From emptiness 

And so she must know

Would Boaz partner with her

In a scheme to return Naomi's land

To being a place of bread?