Melissa Runcie | Madabella

Homecoming

Ruth clung to Naomi, making a declaration of devotion to a new people, a new God.

“…Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16

The route to Bethlehem was undoubtedly paved with expectancy, wonder and even a bit of trepidation. For this homecoming was across the way to a foreign place in a foreign land.  Traveling on harsh terrain wearied the body, but if never dragged down the soul. She knew the end of the road stood the “House of Bread” and she would partake of the Lord’s harvest.

We, too are like Ruth. Journeying to an unfamiliar homeland beyond what our mind can conceive and beyond all comprehension.

We cling to hope and trust and love, journey side by side with the faithful and wait for our Redeemer to welcome us in. The gates will fling open and we will cross the river of life whose living streams never cease, partaking of never ending harvest.

“…the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” Revelation 22:1-2


Words of Ruth will echo straight to our hearts, only they won’t be declared by our fellow, weary travelers, they will resound in the chorus of angels and thunder from the heart of God.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:2-3

Like the voices of those who witnessed God’s faithfulness in the days of old, we will say, “Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today.” Ruth 4:14

Press on, sojourners. We are on our way home.

What Ruth Taught Me About Faithful Marriage

Engulfed in grief’s treacherous and deep waters, Ruth made an unwavering decision. At the pinnacle of uncertainty and depravation, she determined to travel down an unfamiliar path to seek asylum under the wings of refuge.

Ruth must have felt the earth spinning on its axis all 350,000 miles per hour as she grieved the loss of her husband, brother-in law and father-in-law while living in her homeland of Moab. A land far, far away from the heart of God. Now, along with her heavy heart, she was left alongside two widows.

How does one go on with such defeat and weariness from the weight of the world? Deep sadness settles in dark places and so often hands rise to heaven not for praise but to shake fists at tribulation that creeps in unannounced and unwelcomed.  Great plans cease, dreams are broken and the ruins of life seem to crumble in the face of tragedy. It’s hard to see beyond the despondency left in ruins wake.

What are we to do when chaos abruptly takes the place of peace? This place where joy, the very meaning of her husband’s name, dies?  This place where music, the meaning of her brother in law’s name, ceases to soothe the soul? How are we to respond?

We choose hope.

Naomi, now “bitter” as a widow and without sons, purposed to go home, where God brought harvest to famished land.  She urged and tried to persuade her daughter-in-laws to return to their roots, despite their pagan traditions and false gods.

“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.” Ruth 1:14

Orpah clung to false hope.

Ruth clung to true hope.

Ruth's pillar of faith firmly stood tall as she pledged her life to Naomi and the true living God. The Hebrew word for “clung” is used to describe the sacred relationship in a marriage. In covenant fidelity, Ruth vowed to remain with Naomi when times become bitter, when joy dies and the music stops playing. Against the odds, Ruth clung.

“Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16  

In this, I catch an image of union and holy matrimony.

When defeat and the heaviness of the spinning world throws us off our axis or when life is emptied and it seems we have nothing to give, we choose hope.

We vow to remain together when times become bitter, when joy dies and when the music stops playing. We’ve navigated these rough waters already and still, we choose to cling to each other. Bound in this promise is making an oath before God to be steadfast and devoted no matter how difficult circumstances become.

This is the heartbeat of a faithful marriage.  

Taking Her Place

Isabella reluctantly walked up stairs to the doomed “penalty box.”

A time out.
A place to contemplate.
A place to wait out the consequence of her actions.

A few moments later, my youngest leans to whisper, “I’m going to take her place.” Shuffling to her sister’s side, faint echoes of the gospel reach the bottom stairs and turn down the corridor of my heart.

“I’m here, just like Jesus.”

“He didn’t want to go to the cross.”

“He asked if there be any other way.”

“And God said No.”

“So Jesus said Yes.”

Upset in torturous eight-minute confinement, Isabella didn’t want a lesson about Jesus and she certainly didn’t want to hear it from her younger sister, who often times is the very source of frustrations.

“What does that have to do with me?!”

Quiet settled for brief moments, then rustling movement. Squirming for answers, Madelyn searched for what to say.

“Everything. It has everything to do with you.”

“I’m here. I’m going to sit in the penalty box for you. So you don’t have to because that’s what Jesus did for us.”

My husband and I, sitting in the living room, exchanged glances in subtle assurance. Every day we capitalize on teachable moments, becoming an example, sometimes a spectacle, of God’s grace and forgiveness. Most mornings we drive to school, answering questions about our great big God. Together we pray and become seekers on this treasure hunt of life. Then we sit back, wondering and waiting.

Do they see Jesus?

Do they know the deep waters of His love for us?

Do they understand the free gift of redemption that cost our Savior everything?

Do they know Jesus?

Listening to small voice say big things, my eyes are opened. She sees Jesus in ordinary cruxes of the day and imparts more truth in thirty seconds than a road trip of teachable moments.

She teaches me about friendship and laying down a life.

Am I willing to climb steep stairs and exchange comforts so friends can walk in freedom and grace once again?

Am I willing to sit beside a friend broken over sin and consequence?

Am I willing to take on discomfort and heaviness to carry burdens of a friend in need? A friend in hurt? A friend in despair?

I wait and listen.

And the two sisters sit.

They settle into the silence. Side by side.

One doesn’t take the other’s place, Jesus already did that.

They just sit and wait. Together.

Blossom in Prayer :: Desktop Background Download

Moments prior to the steep climb to Calvary, Jesus prayed for all believers to have unity. More than 50 years later, the echoes of that prayer reached Rome. Paul prayed believers would be in one accord and one voice to the glory of the Father.

Unity is not found in denominations or philosphies of faith. It is not defined by the churches we call home or doctrines written on our statement of faith. Unity is only found in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Paul taught Christian unity develops from a deep and profound belief planted in individual hearts. For us to be of one mind, our mind must be focused on Christ.

Today, may the seed of Paul's prayer blossom in our lives. Be of one accord, with one voice, toward one purpose of glorying God.  

 

When you log onto your computer, use this desktop background as reminder and guide for your own prayer life.

:: Click to Download "Blossom in Prayer" Desktop Background (1280x800)

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 5:5-6, 13

Do They Know Your Story? (Part 2)

:: Read Part 1 ::

“Tell us a story, mommy!”

Bedtime ushers in a blank canvas of imagination and adventure, my girls wanting to squeeze in a few minutes with mom before stars glisten across dark sky.

I desperately want to rush through a story, perhaps David and Goliath or Jonah and the Whale. The night is still young and nighttime chores beckon this already tired mama. So I began, “Once there was a boy…”

“No! Tell us a story about you!”

Interrupted by laughing giggles of my daughters, their heart pleads, “I want to know you better. I want to know you more intimately.”

As I collect memories swirling across my mind, I realize the more pages I turn and paragraphs I read, the more my children will really see me, even in the dark.

 

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On the 2nd Thursday of each month, I contribute perspectives on motherhood at MODSquad, an online community devoted to strengthening the hearts of our daughters for God. Consider sharing YOUR heart by submitting an article to inspire other moms. Review submission guidelines here.

Do They Know Your Story? (Part 1)

Storytelling is one of the most powerful witnesses we can give for Christ. We are His living testimonies, equipped for every good work. Last month, as a contributor for MODsquad, I shared how God's story permeates from the heart of my mother to my youngest daughter. Join me tomorrow for Part 2.

Do your daughters know how you came to Christ? How He got hold of your heart and never let go?

I grew up in a Christian home with my mom, a single mother.

I remember the first time I was scared of the dark. I hid in the covers beside her as she turned on the light to read me Psalm 91, telling me of rest in the arms of Almighty God and angels guarding our home.

“Anytime you need help, dial 911”, she said. “Psalm 91:1”

I’m sure she read more scripture to me, but honestly I don’t remember. I didn’t have weekly memory verses in our home and we didn’t do dinner time devotions.  She never forced me to go to church.

She raised me on her relationship with Christ.

She raised me on story.

Click here to read the entire post.

On the 2nd Thursday of each month, I contribute perspectives on motherhood at MODSquad, an online community devoted to strengthening the hearts of our daughters for God. Join me today and tomorrow as I share the importance of raising our daughters through story.