Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Naomi's Trail of Tears

Ruth1: 8" But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back to your mothers' homes instead of coming with me. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. 9 May the LORD bless you with the security of another marriage." Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!" 18 So when Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind to go with her, she stopped urging her.

19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was stirred by their arrival. "Is it really Naomi?" the women asked. 20 "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?""


"I am back in Bethlehem, I have heard that God's blessings still exist. It seems that it always retreats from me.
The day I left, as I stepped on the threshhold, all the memories of this land overwhelmed me. The short moments of happiness with my husband and sons are now only reminders of my pain.
I tried to send the daughters back, maybe they can recover from the mourning and grief. Ruth refused.

We all just sat there and cried.

I used to be so happy,but my soul is lifeless because of the pain. Even the warm welcome seemed useless. My friends looked at me strangely when I told them to call me bitter. Why has God made me suffer? Ruth just quietly watches me. It almost seems that she is praying. I used to believe like that. But now I know, there is no hope for me."

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