Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” Ruth 2:5

In the days of Ruth, the poor were provided for if they were willing to work. Widows, orphans, and out-of-town strangers were allowed to walk through the fields and gather whatever grain the harvesters left behind.

This was Ruth’s only option. One morning, she arose to go to work despite the heavy weights she carried emotionally. She was destitute with barely enough food to survive. She had lost her husband and was still in grief. And she faced danger as she worked in the field. (She lived during the time of the judges when lawlessness ruled and “every man did what was right in his own eyes.”) Fear and uncertainty must have been her companions that morning as she faced the day ahead. She understood that she was in economic, emotional, and social bondage.

She did not know that the landowner would take notice of her. She did not know that while she felt alone, he was being made aware of her plight. She did not know that he would make provision for her future. She labored quietly, only aware of her own heartbeat and her own thoughts. Perhaps she believed that the rest of her life would resemble that particular day. She did not know about redemption. It was out of the realm of her experience.

There are days I ‘feel’ alone. I am not. The King who owns the land takes notice of me. There are days I feel that my life will always be what it is now. It won’t. The King who writes the future has plans for me. I forget to take into account redemption. It is always a bit beyond my grasp, but I’m learning.

My King is the One who waits to offer me an exchanged life. Forgiveness instead of condemnation. Security instead of fear. Companionship instead of abandonment. Ruth could not see her destiny as she bent over to gather grain. But, it existed nonetheless.

No matter how today may look or feel, I cannot judge the future by it. Your eyes see me. Your

Son paid for my future. Amen