Ruth 1:15-18
“…your people shall be my people, and your God my God…not even death itself is going to come between us.”
By Rev. Tyger Penson
Charlotte died this week. She had been a very influential person in my life at one time. She will always be part of my faith journey.
When I was in ninth grade, our family moved from Colorado to California, in the middle of a school year. When I arrived at my new school, I felt friendless, insecure, and unhappy. We attended First Lutheran Church and there I met Charlotte. One day, Charlotte who was a couple of years older than me, befriended me and brought me to the youth group at the church where I developed friends. She began to mentor me in my spiritual life. Even though I do not recall a single word she said, she was Christ’s presence for me. I felt safe and loved with her. The thought of Charlotte makes me smile.
In the Bible, we read the story of Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi. When Naomi’s husband died (as well as her sons) in the foreign land of Moab, Naomi knew she must return home to the land of Judah. Her two daughters-in-law accompanied her for a distance. Then Naomi dismissed these two women, Orpah and Ruth, encouraging them to return to their own country. Naomi said, “Go back, my dear daughters. Why would you come with me? Do you suppose I still have sons in my womb who can become your future husbands? Go back, dear daughters—on your way, please! I’m too old to get a husband. Why, even if I said, ‘There’s still hope!’ and this very night got a man and had sons, can you imagine being satisfied to wait until they were grown? Would you wait that long to get married again? No, dear daughters; this is a bitter pill for me to swallow—more bitter for me than for you. God has dealt me a hard blow.”
Orpah eventually left, but Ruth would not leave. Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I will live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!” (quotes from The Message, a Bible translation by Eugene Peterson)
Ruth came to know God through Naomi. It changed both of their lives. That is what happens when two people share life and faith together. I thank God for Charlotte and all those like her who have graced me with their love, faith, and friendship.
I am sure there are people in your life who have made a difference in a positive way. They may be someone from the past or someone presently mentoring you. Praise God for them. Perhaps this week might be a good time to give them a call or send them a card or text message. Let them know you are thinking of them. Tell them how they have inspired you.
Prayer: God of all creation, thank you for those who have touched my life with your love. Make me an instrument of your peace and love for others, also. Amen