Friday, August 18 I was full when I went, but Jehovah made me return empty-handed.​—Ruth 1:21.

[Áine]

Friday, August 18

I was full when I went, but Jehovah made me return empty-handed.—Ruth 1:21.

 

Imagine how Ruth must have felt on hearing those words from Naomi! Ruth had gone out of her way to help Naomi. Ruth had wept with her, comforted her, and walked with her for days on end. Despite all of this, Naomi said: “Jehovah made me return empty-handed.” With those words, Naomi did not even acknowledge the support of Ruth, who was standing next to her. How painful that must have been for Ruth! Yet, she stuck with Naomi. (Ruth 1:3-18) Today, a sister in distress may initially speak to us in a hurtful way—despite all our efforts to help her. But we try not to take it personally. We stick with our sister who is in need, and we ask Jehovah to help us find a way to bring her comfort. (Prov. 17:17) A sister in need of assistance may at first refuse our help. Still, loyal love will move us to do our best to stick with her.—Gal. 6:2. w21.11 11 ¶17-19

[trottigy]

I did not remember this until I read it today.

 

Wow! What an amazing person Ruth was. It's one thing to have left everything behind, but then to not even have that acknowledged by the one person you are helping that's .....

 

I don't have the right word.

 

She obviously didn't leave everything just for Naomi. It has to also be because of her love for Jehovah. That love would sustain her!

 

Great reminder for me. Thank you.

 

Edit: our recent Convention on Patience! Said - love is the basis. This certainly re-confirms this to me.

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by trottigy

[Tortuga]

On 8/16/2023 at 3:36 PM, Anniebea said:

With those words, Naomi did not even acknowledge the support of Ruth, who was standing next to her.

This can also remind us to use discernment when someone says 'no one' cares, 'no one' has done anything to help them and the elders aren't doing anything. Our brothers and sisters may say these things when they are distressed, so we need to remember not to take every word literally and just focus on the words they use. We need to use discernment and understand what they are saying and why they are saying it.