So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." - Ruth 4:13-15
Dear Heavenly Father,
How you must have smiled in heaven to see your plan blossom. When Ruth had baby Obed, Naomi experienced joy again. Her life did not end when her husband and sons died. Instead, it took a sharp right turn into your grand plan for all people. Obed may have seemed like a substandard "Plan B" for Naomi. But you made him the ancestor of David who was the ancestor of Jesus. Naomi and Ruth with all their pain were part of the greatest gift to planet earth. Oh how wonderful your plan is once we see it! Help me to remember that your plan for my life is bigger and better than the joys and disappointments I set up for myself. Everything that happens now has new meaning because I know it's part of your plan and not the end of mine. I see now that my goals are puny and shortsighted compared to yours. I yield them to you. Make my life what you want it to be for your fantastic designs for this world.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Our lives get bigger and better when we see that they are part of God's greater work.