Ishbel Smith (author)
PEOPLE IN ISOLATION
Ruth
Families can be anything but straightforward – rarely do they go to plan. Ruth’s husband’s tragic early death left her torn between two communities and with the decision: should she stay in her homeland or go with her new family. Either decision would leave her isolated from people she wanted to be with. Scripture is not clear about Ruth’s reason for staying to accompany her widowed, bereaved and needy mother in law but it resonates with a sense of love, care and companionship. In hard times, love, care and companionship is often found in the strangest of places. Desperation and difficulty can be overcome by the good that is found in others. God is to be found in these times of isolation: in these acts of love, in these practicalities of care and these offers of companionship. God is there. Where have you seen God in these times? Give thanks for these moments of holiness. |
Ruth 1:16
“Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Prayer
Loving God, we give thanks for all who have shown us love, care and companionship at this time. Help us to reach out to others with your compassion when they need to know you are there with them, wherever they may go. Amen
Listen to I the Lord of Sea and Sky – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcL9S5a3weU
Spring 2020 ● Volume 6, Issue 4 ● Balerno Parish Church