An Ordinary Life

Have you met my friend, Naomi?

Naomi has not had an easy life. After her husband died, and then later her two sons died as well, she decided to return to her homeland. Her sons’ widows, Orpah and Ruth, prepared to go with her.

But Naomi replied, "Why should you go on with me?  Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands?"
Ruth 1:11

Naomi was heart-broken. She had lost her husband, and now both of her sons. How was she going to support herself, let alone help her daughters-in-law? She had nothing left to offer to anyone.

Sometimes we feel so defeated by our life circumstances that we, like Naomi, have nothing else to give. How often are we left with just enough energy and motivation to plod through our regular day. We definitely don’t have anything extra to share with anyone else.

Orpah agreed to go back to her family. Ruth, however, refused to be swayed from her devotion to Naomi, so Naomi gave in and the two women continued on their journey together.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi’s home town, her old friends were ready to throw a big welcome home party. But Naomi could not muster up any joy for the reunion.

"Don't call me Naomi", she said, "Instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me.  I went away full but the Lord has brought me home empty."
Ruth 1:20

The name Naomi means “pleasant”. She no longer felt that she could live up to that name. She was buried by grief, felt rejected by God, her reserves had run dry. She wanted to change her name to “bitter”.

When we are broken and depleted, our outlook changes. Colors aren’t as bright. Our favorite foods are bland. The sounds of birds singing, or the chatter of children’s voices, things that we once found beautiful, are now an annoyance. We hide from the people who we used to love sharing life with.

Naomi trudged ahead and kept up with the basics. She taught Ruth the local customs, and what to do in order to gain some security. Even in our weariness, we get up and do what must be done. We take care of the people who depend on us. Eventually Ruth married Boaz and had a son.

Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast.  And she cared for him as if he were her own.
Ruth 4:16

Finally Naomi was able to find some joy, and through this child her heart began to heal.

In the midst of our brokenness, God will find ways to bring us hope. In the midst of our pain, He will bring healing. In the midst of our bitterness, He will bring something sweet.

The child’s name was Obed. He became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. That child became part of the lineage of Jesus. The child who healed Naomi’s heart was part of the path that led to the One who heals our hearts today.

Naomi didn’t think her life was special. In fact, she spent many years feeling rejected and alone. Even after finding some healing through the birth of Obed, she never knew the impact that her life, and her story, would have on all of us.

Yes, Naomi’s life was hard, but she didn’t stop and give up. She returned home, she taught Ruth, she did what needed to be done each day. It wasn’t spectacular, it didn’t seem newsworthy, it was an ordinary life. But it had impact beyond anything she could imagine.

Your life may seem average and ordinary. If you feel like you are just going through the motions of each day, if you feel like you are unseen, or even rejected, look at Naomi’s story. She couldn’t see the long range results of her everyday actions, but God had a bigger plan.

Return home to Him, take care of those around you, keep doing the ordinary things, and look for the bit of sweetness that He will bring to you. Hold onto that sweet treat, savor it, let it start to heal your soul and bring you joy.

God will take your ordinary, and do something magnificent with it.