They said to her, "We insist on returning with you to your people."

But Naomi replied, "Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me?"

Ruth 1:10-11 CSB

Orpah and Ruth wanted to stick with Naomi and head back to her people.

But Naomi gives them plenty of reasons not to. She feels that God is against her and nothing good will come of her 'daughters' coming with her. 

We know that there is healing and goodness ahead in this story, but right now, in the midst of her grief, Naomi has no sight of that. 

Naomi is hurting. 

In her pain she is pushing away those closest to her. 

In the next few verses Naomi gives them a reason to not only go to their people, but also their gods. 

Naomi is hurting.

And the writer invites us to sit with her in her situation. Her choices are limited and her resources seem small.

In her hurt there seems a genuine desire that her daughters get another opportunity to flourish, and in her hurt she is going back to her land.

Back to her people.

Back to where God has been at work.

In our modern world I wonder if that is why so many people can feel adrift if they have no land, no people to go back to?

Travel restrictions have stopped us in the last couple of years, and for many it's been tough. 

The writer of this book tells us how it is for Naomi, and gives us permission to feel what we feel when we are hurting too.

#bookofRuth

#thebiblekeepingitreal