Ruth Begins

Ruth joined the family

The family of the visitors from Bethlehem

The strangers who arrived with stories

Of famine from the City of Bread

Ruth joined the family

When she married a son

And a new rhythm of life began

As she learned of new ways

And a new God

A God of love and miracles and rescue

And yet the sadness continued

As husband after husband after husband

Died

Leaving

Naomi, Orpah and Ruth 

Alone with Naomi's God

Then news of bread arrived

And Naomi packed to go home

She began her travels with two daughters

In tow

But why take them to more sadness

So she sent them to their fathers' homes

To find new husbands and old gods

Only Ruth refused

An old god

She strengthened her ties to Naomi and

This new God and threw herself

Into His hands with a fervent trust

Leaving them to travel on together

To Bethlehem

Where the barley harvest had begun

Arrival meant a new busyness for Ruth

As Naomi announced her emptiness

With a new name--Mara

And bitterness arrived at her old home

Without the comfort of husband or sons