Tired Decisions.

 Day 8


And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

Ruth 1:18 (ESV)

Give up, or give in? Have you ever had a child, or a grandchild, or anyone for that matter, be so persistent as to convince you to do something, give them candy, perhaps, or accompany them somewhere? “C’mon, do it! Why not? I’ll be great, you’ll see!” You keep saying no and making up excuses. You really don’t have a valid reason (unless you are a parent, and that candy is not a good idea) to say no. But they are so determined that you finally give up your battle and give in to their request, even though you think you might regret it later.

Some things, though, are not as trivial. How many times has your spouse or your parent, or your best friend tried to convince you to go to a doctor and get something checked? How many times has someone told you NOT to do something because they can see the bigger picture that you can’t, because you are so engulfed in the excitement of the moment?

Naomi was so engulfed in her own grief that she could not see her daughter-in-law’s insistence as a good thing. She was so into her Mara state that she could not see anything good coming to her if it hit her in the face. Until her persitence got so annoying that she had no choice but to give in and let her go.

How many times is our immediate response, “No!” We do it to others, we do it to ourselves, and we even do it to God. But all we see is our present desperate state and do not think that there might be a better way up ahead, that God might have something better. But we are so fixed in our own ways that we cannot, or will not, take the time to discern what is the right decision, and fail to hear God’s message in it.

Ruth loved her mother-in-law; so much so that she could not imagine leaving her to her own, especially now. She knew they needed each other and needed the support of her God and her people. So, she persisted. She was not about to leave her on her own.

Not that we should always do what others tell us to. Discernment is key. But maybe we should take a minute to see the counsel of the wise, especially when blinded by a situation or a trial. Let God speak to you through the persistence of those close to you, that love you and care for you, and probably have a better picture of the journey ahead than you might have. #getittogethergirl Listen to God. Listen to His word. He always has a better way.

Father, this situation that I am in has blinded me to so many good things ahead in my journey. I am either too blind or too proud or too hurt to see it. But I know you have placed people in my life that care for me and love me. If you have a word for me through them, please open my ears to hear, and open my heart to receive it. I don’t want to be stubborn and keep kicking the prick of my own pain. Help me to listen. Help me to discern. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My reflections:

“Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?.”

Luke 18:7

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