Toy Stories: Barbie — Sacrificial vs. Self-Serving - Friday
Today’s Verse
Ruth 4:14–16
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. (ESV)
The story that began with famine, loss, grief, and displacement ends with new life, joy, and legacy. God doesn’t just return Ruth and Naomi to some level of “functional,” He restores them beyond what they could have ever imagined. They didn’t see this coming at the start; it was something that unfolded slowly, faithfully, and over time.
I think we’ve all experienced that restoration and healing are rarely instant. For me, it’s always felt quiet, gradual, and only apparent when looking back at where and what I came through. I’m reminded of the story of my wife, Leah, as we battled infertility. I’m certain some of you have navigated a similar path, and some are still on it. We did tests, we were patient, we prayed. Years passed, and we were ready to start the next steps, which required starting with a pregnancy test. My wife called me at work and essentially said, “I’m trying to do the pregnancy tests for our appointment, but I think I got broken ones; they are both saying we’re pregnant.” We were so far from believing it could actually happen that we assumed the tests were just wrong.
Dean is 9 months old now, and is a true blessing to us that we didn’t deserve, didn’t illustrate enough trust to earn, but we were given anyway. The slow, long, full-of-trust road led us to a place we struggled to picture, with a little boy we can’t imagine being without. If infertility is your story right now, I want you to know you’re not alone and that I’m praying for you. If you’re on a different road, hoping and praying for God to fix the broken thing, remember that Ruth shows us this: He writes better endings than we could ever imagine, or dare ask for.
APPLICATION
Even if your story feels unresolved right now, God is not finished. Trust the slow work of restoration. What feels painful and bitter today may someday be the place God brings unexpected joy.
We all face seasons when life weighs us down. Visit southland.church/care to learn more about how we can help.
PRAYER
God, I trust that You restore what is broken. Give me patience now in the waiting and hope in the unknown. Teach me to believe You are working, even when I cannot see how, yet.
