Just Then

 "So she entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek. Just then, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, 'The Lord be with you.'" Ruth 2: 3, 4

    I miss my mom. She was adept at noticing God's signature on everything, whether it was exclaiming over spring's blooms or shopping for the elusive well-fitting, affordable pair of slacks. As an early riser, she met Him in prayer and devotional time each morning over coffee and a sweet roll, and He never missed a meeting. 

    At her funeral, my sister recounted the time mom, who was a widow by then, came out of the bowling alley and had a problem unlocking her car. As she was wondering what to do, "just then" a nice man came beside her to lend aid. Over the years, there were countless stories like these showcasing God's providence. 

    I have a lithograph of Ruth in my kitchen, reminding me of how God took care of two poor, childless widows in the Bible. Ruth had married Naomi's son but, when both of their husbands died, they returned to the elder woman's hometown of Bethlehem. Though Naomi was bitter and discouraged, God had a plan which beautifully unfolded in the person of Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer, who married Ruth. 

    During their trials, did the women have any idea that God was weaving them into the lineage of Christ and that Bible readers through the centuries would hear their story? When reading the Book of Ruth, it's so inspiring to see these regular Joes, just going through life's ups and downs, when "just then" God sidled up.

    I am going to watch for Him today.

"Meanwhile, Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along." Ruth 4:1