Bringing in the sheaves!
I am a believer in the welfare system – for what it was originally set up to do. To HELP someone out who is in a bind and to get up on their own two feet. I was a single Mom for years and I would have qualified but there was a stubborn streak in me and I resisted! I was very blessed with good jobs and I worked hard. Then I was laid off and I got afraid of not making it. I received a decent unemployment and my three kids and I did a lot of paring down.
The car, a brown VW Rabbit, got parked and it sat in our driveway. We each had a bicycle and mine had a carrier seat for 3-year old Michael. We rode our bikes everywhere. Even to the beach – a good three mile ride, one way. Michael and I rode around the neighborhood looking for aluminum cans to recycle – he learned which ones to point out and which ones to ignore. I knew how to stretch a grocery budget and still fed our little clan of four fairly well.
It was my season of gleaning!
Nothing was wasted. Not one dollar, or one tip of advice. My season of gleaning was bountiful and we were blessed. The lessons I learned through those hard months have served me well in my life and I am grateful for the hardship.
The first recorded welfare system!
The true story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. I am going to do a Susan Condensed Version of the entire Old Testament book of Ruth. Ready?
A certain man of Bethlehem, Elimilech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion left Bethlehem, “the house of bread,” and moved to Moab because of a severe famine. God did NOT tell Elimilech to go – he got scared and went.
While in Moab, his two sons married Moabite women, also known as pagans, Ruth and Orpah. Mr. Elimilech died. Then, Mahlon and Chilion died. So, there was Naomi with her two daughters-in-law and they were in a bad way. Women without men back then were out of luck, out of food, out of money, out of just about everything. Moab became their house of dead.
From the house of dead back to the house of bread!
Naomi decides to go back to Bethlehem – to her family. She packs up and the two daughters-in-law decide to go with her. But, Naomi, will not have it. She clearly tells them they must stay in Moab with their families and perhaps marry again. Orpah thinks that is a good idea and stays in Moab – but, Ruth? No way.
Where you go, Naomi, I will go. Your God will be my God. [I’m all in and I’m going with you! My translation!]
So, they said good-bye to Orpah (not Oprah) and off they went – a long journey by foot. They arrived in Bethlehem and Naomi’s family was so happy to see her, but alas, Naomi told them not to be happy for her because she came back empty and bitter. [Not a good declaration over oneself.]
Ruth decides to do something to help their lot in life – and she asks Naomi if she can go out and glean in the fields of cousin Boaz (related by way of her dead father-in-law).
Ruth says, “Perhaps I will find favor in his eyes.”
The story continues and has a very happy ending – and a very blessed beginning because Ruth not only found favor in Boaz’ eyes – he fell madly in love with her, they got married and had a baby boy, Obed. Obed’s son was Jesse, Jesse’s son was David and the lineage continues all the way to JESUS! [I encourage you to read the whole book of Ruth – a story of hope! Read it here.]
It’s all seasonal!
Why am I sharing these stories with you? Because here’s the truth…
All of us are in a season of some kind. Some of us are in a season of lack. Some, a season of sowing. Some, a season of reaping. Some, a season of favor… it’s the rhythm of life. Seasons come and seasons go but it is imperative for us, as believers and followers of Christ, to flow in these seasons – to learn, to glean, to grow.
Let whatever season you are in teach you – you will never regret it.
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Today’s yellow rose in the graphic is in honor of my mom, Terry Chamberlain. March 7, 1926 – October 27, 2012.
Excellent viewpoints here, Susan. I believe that our current welfare system in the U.S. is broken, but the Church can help overcome it with this biblical model. I enjoy donating to our local parachurch ministries to help others glean practical help, like food and clothing, for free or greatly reduced prices. We Christ-followers need to freely share the edges of our financial fields with others, not only our tithes. Thank you for this inspirational and interesting post!
Absolutely Sarah, we are called to provide for the gleaners. AMEN. IN ALL WAYS.
How wonderfully you make this Bible Story, and the message it sends – a simple one to understand and incorporate into today’s world. Thanks!
Thanks, Ali!
Ruth and Naomi had a kinsman redeemer and so do we, handful on purpose.
The Story of Ruth holds the story of redemption and hope, amen!
All of us are in a season….so so true! And bringing in the sheaves makes me think of Little House on the Prairie. I can see them sitting in the church singing those words.
Tara, I was singing that as I pondered this post!!!
Susan, one of the first blog posts I wrote was about gleaning. I hadn’t really found my voice yet and I didn’t do a very good job. I enjoyed reading this post. You covered the topic so much better than my attempt. I enjoyed reading it a lot! 🙂
Laurie, what a blessing of a compliment. Thank you, friend – I do hope today finds Spring’s arrival in Lancaster. My cousin just moved there to Willow Valley.
Such a GREAT post, Susan! Thank you for sharing and God bless you!
Hey girl, thank you so much! Tai, thanks for coming over.
This is so good! Great post!
XO
Thanks, friend!
Amen, we are always in a season. He does set the days and times, doesn’t He? Thank you for these sweet words today my friend!
Thank you for reading!!!
My season woke me up too early today and I’m in a season of coffee and Advil. And banana cake. Wish you were here, dear Mentor Online.
So it is a thing, “online mentoring,” with coffee and banana cake. xo luv u, u nut.
We really do have seasons in life – some we enjoy, some not so much. But in all of them we know God is with us and He provides in His timing. What a blessing! Blessings to you dear, Susan, who are so faithful in sharing His Word! xo
Gayl, yes, we’ve experienced many seasons in our lives. And, like you said, some good – some not-so-good. But through it all, He was, is, and will be!!!
susi this is Beautiful! And yes, we are all in a Season. I’m sharing this honey and I shall read it again.
We are in constant seasonal transition –
I like Gleaning! Good points to remember. Season…always in a season of something.
Constantly.
So many good lessons in this book. Best lesson is that God is faithful even when one finds themselves in difficulty. It’s hard to live in faith. But it’s the calling Jesus’ followers must do.
He is even when we aren’t. Amen.
Yes! Gleaning is good–I think that as Christians we should study this concept more and figure out what it means for us today.
Good discussion.