New Chapter

Life has its share of ups and downs, victories and losses. One day a person can be riding high, and the next she can topple and hit rock bottom. Fame, fortune, prestige, and even family can change suddenly, leaving a person bereaved and broken…at least temporarily. That’s what happened to Naomi. I can visualize her basking in the role as matriarch and then experiencing grief so deep that many would have given up and succumbed to a lifetime of sadness. Not Naomi. Her story is one of hope and triumph.

I know several women named Ruth but only one named Naomi. I’m wondering why that is. Naomi is actually a beautiful name, and the Biblical Naomi was definitely a strong woman and a good role model for all women. For some reason she’s overshadowed by Ruth, her loyal daughter-in-law. Yet without her relationship to Naomi, it’s doubtful that Ruth would have met and married Boaz, hence becoming part of the genealogy of Christ.

As an overview of the story, Naomi’s husband and both sons had been killed, and she was left in with her two daughters-in-law, Naomi and Orpah. Knowing that the two young women probably wanted to return to their homelands now that their husbands were dead, she gave them permission to leave. Orpah left, but Naomi stayed after saying, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go.” (Ruth 1:16)

The two women traveled to Bethlehem, and from the scriptures it becomes evident that Naomi feels bitter and empty when she says, “I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home empty.” (verse 31) At some point Naomi instructed Ruth to glean in the fields of Boaz, a kinsman, thus laying the groundwork for a meeting and perhaps a romantic interest. Naomi’s plan worked. Ruth and Boaz married, and she gave birth to Obed…the grandfather of King David. It’s awesome to consider how Naomi’s life went from empty to full again!

Yesterday I was thinking of a widow with one child and one grandchild, both of whom live in a distant state. Rather than feel sorry for herself because of her husband’s premature death, she has chosen to do whatever it takes to secure employment in the city where her son and his family live. Now that I’m thinking about this topic, I can think of dozens of 1st century Naomis. There are women who’ve been “let go” from positions they’ve held for years, primarily because of age. And then there are those whose husbands have left them for younger models.

If Naomi could speak to these women and others who have lost something or someone important, I think she would say, “Be of good cheer. You just don’t know the good things that wait in store for you. Another chapter of your life is about to begin, and it’s going to be grand.”

Don't Look Back!

Here it is Sunday again, and I’ve yet to blog about some thoughts I had about last week’s Relief Society. It was wonderful—informative, inspirational and well-delivered. Michelle began by asking us if we knew what the 2nd shortest verse in the Bible was, and no one did. Do you happen to know? Don’t feel too bad if you don’t because you have a lot of company. I learned from Michelle that it’s in Luke 27:32: “Remember Lot’s wife.” Interesting, huh?

The story is a familiar one. Before destroying Sodom completely, God gives Lot and his family the chance to escape the fire and brimstone and warns them not to look back. All seems well, but then Lot’s wife takes a backwards glance, and she’s forever turned into a block of salt.

I’ve thought about her off and on over the years and wondered exactly what meaning we’re supposed to take from her action and its consequence. Before going any further with this, I’m going to copy and paste something I’d written in Musings of a Missionary Mom about this situation.

“This story has always seemed crazy to me. Crazy and cruel. Crazy for her to look back after God had clearly told the family not to and cruel for God to actually turn her into a pillar of salt. But then again, Lot’s wife was human, a mere mortal just like the rest of us who don’t’ always do what God tells us to do. We try, but sometimes we slip and fall just like she did. Still, what she did seems like such a minor infraction. A backwards glance, and forever she’s a chunk of sodium.

"There’s got to be an explanation. Some scientists would have us believe that it never happened, and that in fact there are salt formations all over the area near the southern tip of the Dead Sea. Others with no plausible explanation might say that It’s a metaphorical story. Perhaps it is, and yet I prefer to believe the actual Biblical account and keep asking myself why God was so emphatic about not looking back and why he meted out such severe punishment. After all, the ramifications of that act affected her entire family. Lot had no wife; his daughters had no mother.

"I’m wondering if this story is oft-repeated not only as an indication of what God can and will do if we disobey him but also because looking back is unhealthy. How can one move forward if she’s forever looking longingly at yesterday? Some people live so much in the land of Yesterday that they can’t go forward. They become pickled like the pillars of salt somewhere between Sodom and Zoar.”

Here are some additional insights from Michelle’s lesson.
*Everyone in Sodom was evil. God who looks on the inner person knew perhaps that her heart was really in Sodom. Would Lot’s wife have tainted their new life?
*Michelle mentioned that we have a problem going forward. We want things to be the way they were ‘back when.” Things never are. Change is certain. We can realize that and look to our future and what’s in store for us or stay stuck, longing for days gone by.
*Someone brought up the fact that God turned Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt because she was disobedient. Michelle, an excellent teacher, reminded the class that we are all disobedient…and probably a lot more so than Lot’s wife. She simply turned and looked back. What are some ways that you have sinned? Do you even want to go there???

So tell me what you think about the meaning of this story. It’s a fascinating one that I feel must have significance, and I’m open to new ideas…or to a rehashing of the old ones.

Modern Day Sarai

As I write this, my son and his wife are on their way to Atlanta. Yep. They're moving there, lock, stock, and barrel. Just like Abram and Sarai, they’re leaving their native land, the one of their fathers and grandfathers and heading out for uncharted territory (family-wise). They’ll still be in the South, but a good three hours separates them from the nearest relative, one of Amanda’s brothers.

They have my utmost respect and admiration for “following their hearts,” for doing what they feel they feel they should do in the place where they feel led to go. Did God tell them to go there like He told Abram? I don’t know; I hope so. What I do know is that regardless of the many differences between those Old Testament days and the days of the 21st century, leaving everyone except your spouse to begin a new chapter in your life can be daunting.

A few differences: Paul and Amanda have two cars, a moving van, and her parents’ vehicle to take things with them; Abram and Sarai had donkeys and camels. Paul and Amanda have lots of “stuff,” stuff like two televisions, a computer (maybe two), two beds, couches, kitchenware, a microwave, tons of books, clothes, and even a Wii (is that spelled correctly?). The couple of yore probably didn’t have nearly as many possessions. Paul and Amanda used Google to help them chart their way; Abram and Sarai just headed out, not knowing where they’d end up. If the young couple get hungry, they can stop anywhere along the road and choose from an array of different foods. Hmmm. I wonder what Abram and Sarai took along the road towards Canaan. When they get to Atlanta, they’ll call to let us know of their safe arrival. Later, they’ll keep in touch with cell phones and emails. How did the Old Testament couple contact family they’d left behind?

While there are lots of differences between the two couples, there are parallels too. Many of us have experienced changes in location. Even moving from a parents’ home into an apartment can be scary, fun but scary too. Moving to another neighborhood, changing jobs, transferring to a different school…all of these things can be a bit overwhelming.

Like Sarai and Amanda, there will be times when all of us will leave our land. How will we fare? Will we look forward to it with anticipation and faith, or will we go “kicking and screaming?” Or will we even go at all? Will we instead allow fear and the need for security keep us from leaving our comfort zones?

I don’t know for sure, I think Sarai was probably glad she went. Just look at all of the interesting adventures she had! I hope the modern day Sarai, Amanda, is glad she went too. She’s going to have hundreds of great experiences and adventures there in Atlanta. ..one of which is an upcoming Braves game.

Good luck, You Guys! Keep the faith. And call home.