“…let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her” Ruth 2:16

I love the story of Ruth from the Bible.

It has joy, sorrow, mess and tenacity. It has strong personalities, determination and incredible provision. Some would say it’s a story about women overcoming adversity…and it is.

In picking through the story I have found women who have suffered incredible loss and who are desperate to survive. Women who live with the disappointment of a life not being what they originally dreamed. It’s about hard circumstances, deep sorrow and lurking bitterness. But in the midst of all that, there is a message of provision, love and Hope.

In this season of Harvest I have been thinking on the aspect of gleaning and how important that is all throughout our lives.

In Ruth chapter 2, she and her mother-in-law had no means to be sustained, Ruth was sent to a field to glean. This meant she went to a field that was not her own and picked up the leftovers from those who were harvesting the field. Those “left-overs” were the provision these ladies needed to survive. They were rich morsels that gave nourishment to their bodies…a source of life.

Sometimes as we go through difficult circumstances we don’t have what it takes to dig in and “feed” ourselves.
We are weary in the fight.
Overwhelmed by the burdens.
Hopeless to get ourselves out of the pit.
And some…may not even know where to go for Truth.

In Ruth 2:15 Boaz instructs his harvesters to leave portions behind to be gleaned by Ruth. How also must the body of Christ care for those in need.

Leaving Biblical-truth morsels that can be gleaned in the midst of trauma is vital in helping. We can do many good tangible and right things to help people who are in a season of pain but the greatest thing we can offer is the harvest of Truth that comes from the Word of God. These truths sustain life. They are a firm foundation when all seems lost.

ACTION: Look around today. Who do you know who needs a bit of Truth from the Word of God? Text or write them a note and – without explanation – leave a Biblical-truth they might glean. Do it in loving-kindness and care for their pain. Allow them to know they are seen and matter to you and the Lord. These morsels can be the life-giving sustenance they need to be restored with Hope.

Cathy is Executive Director and Co-Founder of Sanctuary in Trauma. She shares lessons gleaned from her own experiences through trauma and pain. Leaning into Biblical Truths has guided her into a greater knowledge of God and a deeper love for Him. With a heart to help the hurting she is finding an eternal purpose from the pain. Feel free to encourage others to follow our social media pages where we faithfully place nuggets of Truth for the gleaning.