Naomi

When I look in the mirror the person looking back at me is a stranger I do not recognize. I look older, have more wrinkles and there is sadness in my eyes. The frown lines on the forehead are now a permanent feature. I see imperfections that snuck in over the years and my body cannot hide the scars life left on me. In my lifetime my heart was broken more times than I wish to remember. I know how it feels to lose someone. I know how it feels to be rejected and how it hurts when loved ones hurt you in unthinkable ways. I know the sadness when a child loves you less because of your “poor” decisions. I am familiar with it all.

In bad times I blame God for everything, “Lord, why did it happen to me? How can you allow bad things to happen to your children? Lord are you even listening to me? Where are You Lord when my heart needed you the most?” Yes, sometimes I felt so alone.

Thank goodness for women like Naomi. Whose name in Hebrew means “pleasantness”. Nothing pleasant happened to Naomi and Naomi’s story is about great loss, pain, and bitterness. Naomi felt so abandoned she said “Called me Mara” which means “bitterness”. Even though Mara (bitterness) took over her life, she remained faithful to God.

When Naomi said “called me Mara” she did not become her circumstances and therefore she stayed Naomi because she overcame her circumstances. We all go through seasons of sadness, pain, rejection, and death but these situations must not become a “name” in our life. Naomi teaches us not to become our loss or pain but to overcome it and the only way is to trust God with our sadness and pain.

We all need a Naomi in our lives. When we are rejected, neglected, and feel abandoned, Naomi reminds us of the goodness and faithfulness of God. You need a Naomi to tell you that it doesn’t matter how far you moved from God, you will be welcomed back. When you lack wisdom, her knowledge and life experience can lead you to the right decision of your true calling. Every nation has laws and you need a Naomi who knows the laws to guide you through unknown situations. Someone that can fight for you when you are too tired to do it yourself.

To love someone unconditionally is a rare commodity and we need a Naomi who will love us like a daughter or sister, unconditionally. That “person” you can trust with any problem coming your way. When the road is long and unfamiliar you need a Naomi to lead the way, safely to your destination. You need a Naomi to keep you grounded in the promise of the Lord and to remind you that God’s plan is way better than yours.

When you hide from God you need a Naomi to show you how to be honest with God and to trust Him with your sorrows because He knows you and wants the best for you. You need a Naomi to show you what faith looks like in hard times and good times. Life hurts and can make you bitter and through all her pain and suffering Naomi had unbroken faith in God.

We need a Naomi to remind us of God’s plan for our lives. We see a picture in a frame but God has a vision far greater than your sight. We have to remember that God will take us out of our comfort zone to a place we may not understand. He will let us walk down bumpy roads we never imagine walking. The Lord prepares you for a purpose, not to harm you but to build you.

Sometimes we are lucky to have a Naomi to guide us through life and maybe you are a Naomi to strengthen and guide a Sister.

Prayer: Lord, give me a Naomi who can pick me up when I fall and wipe my tears when my heart is broken. Who can help me grow in the spirit and can hold my hand when we pray. Amen.

I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”Ruth 1:21 NIV https://ruth.bible/ruth-1-21

Written by Marie Swanepoel for Women of the Word

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