“While standing in a checkout line, I was estimating my bill and trying
to keep my son from wandering away. I barely noticed when the woman ahead of me
shuffled toward the exit, leaving all of her items behind. The clerk confided
that the woman didn’t have enough money to pay her bill. I felt terrible; if
only I had been aware of her situation earlier, I would have helped her.” (J.B.S. – american
writer)
In the
book of Ruth, Boaz became aware of Ruth’s plight when he saw her gleaning in
his fields (2:5). He learned that she was recently widowed and was the
breadwinner for herself and her mother-in-law. Boaz saw her need for
protection, and warned his harvesters to leave her alone (v.9). He supplied her
with extra food by instructing his workers to let grain fall purposely (v.16).
Boaz even addressed Ruth’s emotional needs by comforting her (vv.11-12). When
Naomi heard about this, she said, “Blessed be the one who took notice of you”
(v.19).
Are you
aware of the needs of the people around you—in your church, neighborhood, or
under your own roof? Today, consider how you might help bear someone’s burden.
Then you will be fulfilling God’s plan for you (Gal. 6:2; Eph. 2:10).
God works
through us to meet the needs of those around us. (RBC)
