Sometimes, it seems like all that’s within my reach are leftovers.

As I begin to make my outer world reflect my inner world — where I am completely loved, cherished and accepted — I’ve stepped into the realities of what this means.

It’s a risk, because we need to leave the world we once inhabited — relationships, expectations and staying within the boxes other may have constructed for us.

There is fear.  To leave my old identity of safety. To start over.

But, there comes a time it’s more important to create space to live as the beloved than as someone whose heart is unknown.

There are going to be changes I’ll need to make.

Where will this journey take me?

Is there really a place for me in this world — alive and real? I’m not so sure.

Gather.

This was one word a woman all alone once whispered to herself.

She didn’t fit in — and she didn’t have any real means — or outward significance.

She looked at all her options — and she decided she needed to go.  And gather.

Some might have looked at her life — and shook their heads in empathy but sighed at the storyline already written out in her circumstances.

But, the woman God saw and knew was very different.

And so, God left us a intimate story about leftovers.

About leaving.  About gathering.

Behind others.

So that we would come to understand we aren’t so lost in His world.

Come.

And draw near.

To Jesus.

As you are.

See.

In this very moment.

What He longs to show you.

What you’ve longed to show Him.

Listen.

To the Inner Voice of Love.

That whispers to you now.

Let it echo in you.

Confide.

In Him as friend to friend.

What you’ve longed to whisper and ask.

Let your voice echo to Him.

#Soulrest.  It’s soul beautiful.

A Soul Conversation

Step into this moment now to be with Jesus.

He is going to tell us a story that is true.

See the dirt in between her toes, her cuticles dry from gathering in the dust in sandals.

Feel the weight of her clothes that she had to wash and wear worn — many times in the same week.

Hear her sit alone in the moonlight one night as she decided she would hope for the kindness of others.

And she would step out into the world.  To gather.  To be seen.  To risk.

Enter into the soulful whitespace in Ruth 2:2-17:

Ruth, who was from Moab,
said to Naomi,
“Please let me go to the field
of anyone who will be kind to me.

There I will gather the grain left behind
by the reapers.”

Naomi told her, “Go, my daughter.”
So Ruth went.

She entered a field
and gathered the grain left behind
by the reapers.

Now it happened that she ended up
in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz,
who was from Elimelech’s family.

Just then, Boaz was coming from Bethlehem…
Boaz asked the young man in charge of his reapers,
“Who is this young woman?”

The young man answered…
She said, ‘Please let me gather grain.
I will only gather among the bundles
behind the reapers.’

So she came here and has been on her feet
from daybreak until now.
She just sat down this minute in the shelter.”

Boaz said to Ruth,
“People have told me…
how you left your father and mother
and the country
where you were born.

They also told me how you came
to people that you didn’t know before.

…May you receive a rich reward
from the LORD God of Israel,
under whose protection
you have come for shelter.”

Ruth replied,
“Sir, may your kindness to me continue…

…So Ruth gathered grain in the field
until evening.
Then she separated the grain from its husks.
She had about half a bushel of barley.

Did you see Ruth gleaning among a field she “happened to end up in”?

This phrase was translated from the original Hebrew, which reads “and her chance, chanced”.  In Hebrew text, repetition is used to create irony, to indicate the opposite.

There was no chance that Ruth could possibly end up in a field, just as Boaz was there.  Just as she was resting.

God orchestrated this opportunity.

God saw Ruth.  He knew the dreams within her heart.

And He loved her.

Even as she gathered the leftovers.

Behind all the other reapers.

Behind all the other people who belonged in the field.

Where are you in this story?

Are you gathering like Ruth — wondering what might be left for you?

Do you see Boaz — prompted to move towards Ruth — not knowing his act of kindness would lead him to a unexpected love?

Is God prompting you to gather?  To leave?  Or move out to experience or express kindness?

{ if you feel prompted, click to comment. }

My Prayer

Jesus.  Chance upon chance, I’m trusting you.

With each reach I’m taking to gather — what seems so small.

Here.  In this new space I’m entering into — away from people, places and familiarity I once felt resigned to.

To move closer to new people I haven’t met. A new way of life.

Gather with me, Jesus.  Be my shelter.  Be my shade.

His Words

I see you. From sun up to sun down you are gathering.

Don’t be afraid.

I love you.

I see you.

I have a plan.

Chance upon chance.

I am in control of your destiny.

Let me be your shelter in the blistering sun.

Let me be our shade.

Your Words

What are the feelings and thoughts that surface in this quiet space?

Confide in Jesus. As friend to friend.

~~~~~

Pull up a chair. Click to comment.

You are among friends. In this quiet space.

~~~~~

Slow Down. Journal on Soul Rest Sunday.

Do you enjoy savoring quiet time with God too — and enjoy journaling your reflections on a Scripture verse, song, or prayer?

Share it with us.  Link-up Sunday or Monday. Click on the blue button “Add Your Link” and submit the url of your post (not just the name of your blog).

This isn’t just another blog post.  Let’s experience something real and sacred together.

Come. See. Listen. Confide.

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Slow and savor time with God.
Refresh your soul for the new week.

‘);

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