Advent Three - Through Thick and Thin

 

Sisters, by Elin Danielson-Gambogi 1891
Private collection.
Credit:commons.wikimedia.org

 “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 116

Ruth is clearly a wonderful person with great prospects.  She had been a hit with Naomi's recently deceased son, but now she and her mother-in-law are thrown into sorrow and loss.

Naomi is a foreigner in the land where her two sons have recently died.  With no one there to support her, she decided to return to her homeland and find kin who might recognise and support her.

Ruth is in her homeland, but is prepared to risk everything for her love for her new mother-in-law.  She choses to bind her fate with that of Naomi.  United in their commitment to each other; a new friendship forged out of bereavement.  

Naomi holds her friendship with Ruth lightly, as in without without pressure, or clinging.  Their choice is that of perfect love, which is about 'walk together into the future'.

PRAYER: May love for you and others be like that of Ruth and Naomi.  May my friendships be full of trust.

PS Elin Danielson-Gambogi was a Finnish painter, born in 1861.  She married an Italian artist Gambogi.  Her artwork is original and bold. It reminds me of Van Gough's potato eaters.