Widow's Journal

Writing has been a welcome friend for me in many stages and transitions of my life, so it’s little wonder that writing has become part of my healing in the loss of my husband of nearly 43 years. Journaling has been a restorative activity for me, and as I gingerly step into the world of widow-blogging, I am wanting to keep my focus on how the Lord is leading me through this time. As our Assistant Pastor, Rob Dubois, took up the topic of the book of Ruth over the course of a few Sundays, I was inspired to delve into this short account of this trio of widows. With scripture leading the way, I wanted to start by looking at widowhood and the lives of these three ladies.

1: Three Widows

The account of the widows, Ruth and Naomi, provides some inspiring and interesting connections for widows today. We always cheer on the noble and kind qualities in the widow Ruth who chooses to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi, and yet we can understand as Orpah, Ruth’s widow sister-in-law, reluctantly turns back to stay with her own people. This is kind of understandable. Some widows want to stay put, and they resist all the life changes brought upon them by the loss of their husband. Ruth, however, clearly states her willingness to step out of her comfort zone and shows unwavering allegiance to her mother-in-law who’s been three times impacted with grief: wherever you go, I will go; where you live, I will live; your people will be my people; your God will be my God. She even invokes God’s severe punishment on herself if anything other than death itself would ever separate her from Naomi. Now that’s a devoted daughter-in-law. I see a likelihood here that Ruth had heard of the God of Naomi.

There are some noteworthy lessons for Ruth as she takes up residence in Judah with her mother-in-law, just two widows subsisting on the barley and wheat that Ruth can glean daily. Gleaning was part of Israel’s laws God required. It was a way for the poor to find daily food in a dignified way. When Boaz, the landowner, discovers who Ruth is, her kindness in providing for Naomi, he makes sure she gets special treatment and is protected. Meanwhile, Naomi informs Ruth that this Boaz is a relative, and could be a “kinsman redeemer” for the family, the near relative who could help them in their need.

In time, Naomi suggests a means for Ruth to approach Boaz to inquire if he would take on this role of kinsman redeemer. Ruth informs Boaz, and although there is a closer relative, he reassures Ruth he will investigate the matter at once. So it is he sends her home with a gift of barley—six measures scooped into Ruth’s shawl—as a gift, like a promise that he will look out for them. And so, the way is made clear for him to take Ruth as his bride. What celebration ensued! Blessings and congratulations! From this union Obed is born, father of Jesse, father of David, and so on until the birth of Jesus Christ. Looking back, it’s clear that God’s hand had been on both widows the entire time.

The Widow’s Portion: The Six Measures

But what could they represent, those six measures of barley that Boaz shoveled into Ruth’s shawl, a gift sent home to Naomi? It seems it may be Boaz’s way of reassuring Naomi that he will not abandon them. As a widow, I think of all the reassurances that the Lord gives us to remind us of His provision. In fact, there are six provisions that have become quite clear and dear to me. Like the shovels full of blessings Boaz heaped into Ruth’s shawl, the abundance of the Lord’s supply of strength, hope, comfort, help, peace and grace have been poured out on those of us who have lost a spouse, from Him Who is the Defender and Champion of widows and the fatherless.

And these six measures is what I want to look at as a widow’s portion, the bountiful supply given to us by God, the Defender of widows, and Father of the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5)

Next: A Measure to Strength.