Ruth 2:14 At the lunch break, Boaz said to her, "Come over here; eat some bread. Dip it in the wine." So she joined the harvesters. Boaz passed the roasted grain to her. She ate her fill and even had some left over.

So this part of the story happened after Ruth had already pledged her loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, and had stepped into a role of taking care of her.  In that role, Ruth took the initiative to get some food for her and Naomi, so she went out to glean a field.  She did not intentionally go to Boaz’s field, who happened to be a relative.  Ruth was a foreigner, a widow, with no friends, no man to take care of her but with an elderly woman depending on her, no connections at all…. and was going to work at somewhat of a personal risk to herself, as it was a common fear for women to be raped or abused as they were out in a far off field.  I think she was really brave, or maybe just really hungry.  Either way, God supernaturally guided her to the right field.   So Boaz happens to see her out there, and asks about her.  I’m thinking that he “noticed” her, that he thought she was beautiful.   Was it really common for the owner of the field to notice and inquire about a gleaner?  She wasn’t even an employee, a hired worker… she was a charity case.  He then instructed his workers to give her special treatment and make sure that she got some of the “good stuff”.  So in this verse, he actually calls her over to enjoy lunch with him and his employees.  Do you think Boaz always ate lunch with his harvesters?  Or was he interested in eating lunch with her?  Hmmm…  He passed her the grain.  Maybe their fingers touched during the exchange.  I can imagine him sitting next to her, not able to take his eyes off of her, making sure that she gets enough to eat.  I wonder if the other workers were noticing his attention to her.  I wonder what they were thinking?  The bible doesn’t mention anything about his workers arguing with him or having a bad attitude about giving her special treatment.  In fact, they went right along with it happily it seems.  This speaks to the love and respect they had for Boaz I think.  Maybe they liked seeing him fall for this beautiful woman.  I’m also struck with the fact that Ruth accepted the invitation, and felt comfortable enough to join in the lunch.  Maybe in her home country, Ruth was not a “charity case”, showing us how she also humbled herself to the lowly position of gleaner, all because she had a mission to accomplish.  Ruth not only ate enough lunch for her, but she also had left-overs and was able to take them home to Naomi.  What an awesome day for Ruth!  She acted in loyalty and kindness, embraced her responsibility, put on a brave face, humbled herself, AND held her chin up in confidence.  She was rewarded with a “coincidental” connection, an abundance of food, respect, and the first glimmers of her love story.

There is so much for me to “glean” from this passage.  Ha-ha.  I too have found myself with no man, but with a ton of responsibilities.  I am not a foreigner, although I do find this position in life quite foreign.  I have embraced my responsibilities, have been loyal and kind, have put on a brave face, have humbled myself, and have remained confident.  I know that God had guided me, connected me with people, has provided more than enough for me, has built up my reputation, and has given me a glimpse of a love story.  I am encouraged.

Lord, thank you for including in your word, these cool stories of your people.  I have always loved the story of Ruth, and just love how she speaks to me.  Thank you for teaching me about loyalty, responsibility, humility, confidence… and that these attributes of a “strong” person can be rewarded with things like ABUNDANT provision, great company, and love.  Thank you for thinking I'm beautiful, thank you for believing in me, and thank you for working out the details of my finances and future.  You are truly awesome.

Psalm56:8 You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.

This is quite a statement, especially if you’ve had a year like I have had.  It’s quite a feat to be able to keep track of EVERY toss and turn, there have been many in just as many sleepless nights.  To keep record of EVERY tear would fill volumes.  And the aches… Lord, do you really write about all of my aches?  Who even knows about them but you God?  And you take the time and the care to write them down?  That is so validating.

I am reminded that when I feel lonely, I am not alone.  Not only is God with me during those times, he actually can recall them at any given time.  He even has a record of them all, so he and I can discuss those times, and accurately see how we worked through them.  That is so encouraging to me, the queen of rehash and discuss. 

Lord, first of all, THANK YOU for being with me in my darkest, most private times of sleeplessness, tears and aches.  Thank you for recording them.  Thank you for validating them.  And thank you for making allowances for what some have told me is one of my biggest weaknesses, the need to talk about things.  You know this about me, and you’re up for it anytime, because hey, you’ve kept track.  You can keep up with me.  That is so awesome!