But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters.” (Ruth 1:11)
I can recall numerous discussions between myself and my three sons when they were boys and wanted to have things done in a different manner than I had placed before them. “But Mama, if you let me go out and ride my bike now, I can clean my room later,” or “Momsie, you are so beautiful. Can I have my dessert now and save my dinner for later?” or even, “Mommie, I don’t think I can eat all my vegetables today because my body needs more meat.” Many times “no” would be my answer.
Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah were having another conversation about their possible separation. Since Naomi no longer had a husband and her only two sons were dead, she planned on returning to Judah. But this situation had a problem, since the two young women loved their mother-in-law and wanted nothing to do with leaving her.
In retrospect when I was dealing with my sons’ boyhood adventures, I learned that there are times when the best thing for us to do is to say no to what comes easiest, because sometimes it is the seemingly impossible that will yield the best fruit. Just as I had to say no to my boys when their best interest was at stake, God sometimes closes those doors that we think are the best ones for us at the time.
Listen to God and embrace the “no” in front of you.
Luska Natali is a native of Brazil who is passionate about God, her family, learning new languages (she fluently speaks three), and meeting people.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
