The road to recovery
Ruth's mother-in-law had already freed Ruth from any obligation to stay with her. But Ruth chose to make this powerful covenant commitment to her. Not just to go the first couple of miles, not just to make sure she would be all right before she left her, but a lifelong pledge. And she began Naomi's road to recovery from the bitterness of her exile and her treble bereavement - husband and both sons dead.
Of course many of us are called to make this kind of commitment - in marriage, come what may - in parenting, whatever that may involve. But there are lesser commitments at work, in the community, at church, where assistance offered in love and not through obligation can transform a relationship.
Jesus said, 'If anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.' An obligation to carry a soldier's pack turned the first mile into forced labour, but the offer freely made to carry the pack for a further mile, turned the second into a free gift of neighbour love.
Naomi needed Ruth, but Ruth swept the need aside and turned her companionship into a simple act of love. Whenever we are in a position of strength - knowing more about the job, understanding the technicalities, better able to read the map - then the way in which we go to help is crucial. Even where we are appointed as teacher, trainer or manager, and are expected to demonstrate that we have skills others don't have, the way we teach and train can make the difference between an experience of drudgery or adventure.
When Ruth and Naomi arrived back in Bethlehem, Naomi immediately told her former neighbours how awful everything had been. 'I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.' She hadn't yet understood just how great a gift the Lord had given her in Ruth. But when Ruth bore a son and placed him in Naomi's lap, the women told Naomi, 'your daughter-in-law who loves you is more to you than seven sons'.
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