A Slow Renewal
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. (Ruth 4:13-16)
As happy endings go, the end of the book of Ruth should rank near the top. Boaz has done his duty with wisdom, kindness, and compassion. Ruth, a foreigner in Bethlehem, is praised for her loyalty and love. But although the book is named for Ruth, this has been Naomi's story and she does not speak again. Though the women in the community surround her and joyfully proclaim her vindication, Naomi is silent. Maybe the pain of trauma is sometimes not so easily wiped away in an all's-well-that-ends-well moment.
When we ask God to move in our situations and circumstances, we often assume the change we seek will immediately heal the hurts we've incurred. Perhaps we should sit a while with Naomi. We can acknowledge and accept the good the God is doing while honestly relying on God to heal our hearts, minds, and spirits in due time.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD!
(Psalm 146:5-10)
