Our young daughter Katelyn enjoys playing solitaire, but she lacks the patience to persist through the difficult points in the game. Instead of trying to solve being “stuck,” she’ll simply start a new game. I’ve challenged her not to give up but to seek the next available move.
In my brief moment of motherly advice, I gained two timely life lessons: (1) Instead of giving up when life doesn’t go my way, I need to take the time to look at what I do have, and seek to regain my momentum; (2) As I intentionally guide others in wisdom, I will also be encouraged and refreshed.
The book of Ruth is a story of two women who were able to teach and encourage each other. Naomi’s fading hopes were refreshed by the vitality of her daughter-in-law Ruth. In turn, the young woman was coached wisely by the older woman (Ruth 3:1-6).
After losing her husband and two sons, the bereft Naomi left Moab and returned to her hometown of Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19-22). Before leaving, however, she implored her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab. Orpah returned home, but Ruth refused to leave and clung to Naomi, vowing to follow her and adopt her ways (Ruth 1:16-17).
Naomi equipped Ruth and helped her understand the culture of her people, and Ruth gained the favor of Boaz—a wealthy relative who later became her husband (Ruth 2:3). Ruth then had a son with him, restoring the hope of Naomi and participating in the lineage of Jesus (Ruth 3:1–4:22).
Remember, we’re richer when we journey together—the young embracing the wisdom of the old and the old enjoying the hope and energy of the young. It’s God’s plan for us to learn from each other.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Proverbs 5:1-23
More:
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and see the value of companionship and journeying with someone.
Next:
What will you do to encourage and restore someone’s hope today? What have you learned from others that you can pass on?
Roxanne Robbins on May 20, 2014 at 12:11 am
Grateful we have a heavenly Father committed to restoring hope.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on May 20, 2014 at 2:01 am
Absolutely Roxanne. Every new day with all the promise of possibility, reminds me of the faithfulness of our God who is never-ending in love, mercy and grace.
pjp on May 20, 2014 at 5:17 am
Super!
GChoo on May 20, 2014 at 7:49 am
God is good. What timely reminder from God when I am feeling overwhelmed with what I have taken on – more energy God. And, time to meditate on your Word. Thanks Ruth. God bless.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on May 20, 2014 at 8:06 am
Hi pjp and GChoo, I pray your hope will be restored by God and by people the Lord has put into your life, and that you will use that restored hope to encourage others. Have a great day.
ajratnam on May 20, 2014 at 10:17 am
The message is O K. But the example of your young daughter playing solitaire is not right. This is the game proportional or the same as dice, lottery, chess, etc, that are not to be played by the christian believers. This game and the others are played in clubs; and it is the responsibility of parents to control the children not allowing them to play such games.
Really, I am terribly upset after reading this.
Tom Felten on May 20, 2014 at 11:14 am
Ruth, I’m so thankful for the Body of Christ. We do need each other! The wisdom that can come with age and the passion/energy of youth can be used by God to see His kingdom grow on earth. Praising Him for how He uses others to mold and shape me.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on May 20, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I am sorry you feel that way ajratnam, I would be interested to know the Biblical reference on which you base your view though. I agree that we need to be careful to equip our children in Christ-like living, but we should keep in mind that Jesus Christ came to set us free from the law of sin and death. I no longer live under the law, I live by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. We love playing games as a family and often use the opportunity to teach our children Biblical values. I am sorry for the offense though.
ajratnam on June 21, 2014 at 1:21 am
All the wrong things or games which have to be avoided by the believers are not there in the Bible. For e.g. in India, the gentles(Hindu religious) decorate their fore-fronts of the houses with different colour powders a sort of art called ” rangoli ” which is nothing but the worship of their gods & goddesses. This is given only in their particular mythological books only. Can we also, without knowing the antecedents of this art, follow them blindly?
Same with certain games, which are nothing but worldly that are to be avoided outrightly by the real Christians.
Take the case of all the card games which are all played in the clubs compared to the other worldly games of chess, brilliards, etc.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on May 20, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Absolutely Tom. The older I get, the more I value learning from and growing with the young and the old – there’s room for all of us in the Body of Christ. Thanks!