We often seek joy, but in this world, with its trials and tribulations, true joy can be illusive. I thought about Naomi and Ruth. Their lives had been torn and disrupted. Yet they trusted God and followed His biding. God loved them both. He didn't leave Naomi and Ruth alone in their grief. The Great God who promised to nurture and sustain the widow and the fatherless would bring forth new life. From Boaz and Ruth's union came fruitfulness forevermore.
Fruitfulness forevermore; I remember pondering those words when my grandson came home from the hospital. My youngest son and his wife had named him for both his uncles -- tiny Mark Andrew would carry on our two oldest son's names.
Still ill from a lengthy bout of bronchitis, pleurisy and a lingering cough, I was afraid to hold, or even touch him. But I sat beside him and observed his long slender hands, his tiny face. His eyes were screwed tightly shut, he had his Uncle Dow's smooth dark hair and those pointy ears we'd laughingly called "Spock ears."
This little boy would never know the first Dow Andrew, but he will know him one day in heaven. A prayer left my lips. "Lord, Jesus, Saviour, Lord, bless this little one. Draw his heart close to Yours that he might love and worship You forever."
Even as I prayed a longing resurrected in my soul -- I was reminded again of the great paradox of Scripture; life comes out of death. The idea of fruit bearing is the same for me as for Naomi, the same as it is for the grain which falls into the earth in order to bring forth great harvest. Our Lord illustrated this when He said: I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:24-25 NIV).
The women said to Naomi, Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. (Ruth 4:14, 15)
God always keeps His promises -- When we trust the Master Gardener with the seeds of our lives, He gives us an abundant life filled with incredible fruitfulness and joy -- not just during this life here on earth, but the kind of fruitful joy which lasts for an eternity.
Note to Joann and Mary - In the shuffle of getting caught up on past correspondence, your emails were deleted. As I went to read your email--somehow I clicked on something which deleted them and I can't get them back! Would you send your emails again? I would so love to hear from you. You have been such an encouragement to me.
Fruitfulness forevermore; I remember pondering those words when my grandson came home from the hospital. My youngest son and his wife had named him for both his uncles -- tiny Mark Andrew would carry on our two oldest son's names.
Still ill from a lengthy bout of bronchitis, pleurisy and a lingering cough, I was afraid to hold, or even touch him. But I sat beside him and observed his long slender hands, his tiny face. His eyes were screwed tightly shut, he had his Uncle Dow's smooth dark hair and those pointy ears we'd laughingly called "Spock ears."
This little boy would never know the first Dow Andrew, but he will know him one day in heaven. A prayer left my lips. "Lord, Jesus, Saviour, Lord, bless this little one. Draw his heart close to Yours that he might love and worship You forever."
Even as I prayed a longing resurrected in my soul -- I was reminded again of the great paradox of Scripture; life comes out of death. The idea of fruit bearing is the same for me as for Naomi, the same as it is for the grain which falls into the earth in order to bring forth great harvest. Our Lord illustrated this when He said: I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:24-25 NIV).
The women said to Naomi, Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. (Ruth 4:14, 15)
God always keeps His promises -- When we trust the Master Gardener with the seeds of our lives, He gives us an abundant life filled with incredible fruitfulness and joy -- not just during this life here on earth, but the kind of fruitful joy which lasts for an eternity.
Note to Joann and Mary - In the shuffle of getting caught up on past correspondence, your emails were deleted. As I went to read your email--somehow I clicked on something which deleted them and I can't get them back! Would you send your emails again? I would so love to hear from you. You have been such an encouragement to me.
2 comments:
I love reading your thoughts on here, Mumsie. ((hugs)) This was a real blessing to me today.
thank you, Beth. I finally made it on successfully. I appreciate so much your love and support. What a lovely daughter you are! Mums
Post a Comment