I've recorded the Biblical Book of Ruth at this time for three reasons.
Firstly, it's National Storytelling Week, and this is a personal favourite.
Secondly, it celebrates an exalted form of love, Chesed, which is so rich in interpretation that no one word or phrase in English is sufficient to the task. It is loyal love, a covenant love, an enduring love, a love that never fails.
Thirdly, Ruth demonstrates the importance of seeing oneself as part of a bigger plan. She is an ancestor of King David, and thus vital to that timeline... in fact, David was born what appears to be 300 years later. When we face troubles, as the whole world is doing today, it is important to "think longer" and to see the current darkness as a blip that will pass. My Dad will never forget the War but it did pass and it is now seen in the context of a much longer time frame. Our children who have been most affected by this year (so far) of confinement will feel like it fills their whole life. It doesn't, but it will take them time to realise that. This too shall pass.
Ruth went through times of great loss, great sorrow, and great suffering... but within a larger time-frame, we hear how everything works out to the good.
There is hope.
Credits
Photo by Shalitha Dissanayaka on Unsplash
Thank You!
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