Day 11
Scripture: Ruth 4:14-17
The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”
Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Story from the Blue Seats:
I was far from DC in rural Oklahoma. Standing in line outside a women’s prison with only my ID and a bunch of quarters in my pocket.
In moments, I’d meet her.
The woman carrying the baby boy I’d get to love and mother. The woman who chose me.
We were the same age. The same height and frame. But there she was, wearing glittery eye shadow and an orange jumpsuit. And there I was, looking like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, sorely out of place. We sat nervously at a cafeteria visitation table. Over Skittles and Hot Fries, she shared about the life she’d lived and the position she was in, and would we really love her baby, no matter what?
It was an easy “yes,” through hot sticky tears.
My son’s birthmother and I never would have met if it weren’t for the adoption plan she made. We grew up on opposite sides of the country, in opposite situations in every way. But – now, we are forever linked.
I get to be his mother because she said yes.
Our son is 6 now. We still have weekly phone calls, and she stays up on the latest with him.
We are an unexpected family.
In Ruth 4:14-17, we get a glimpse of God’s surprising plan at work. Ruth, a Moabite widow, finds love and redemption through her marriage to Boaz. When their son Obed is born, the women in the town celebrate, saying, “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.” Obed’s birth, though part of what seemed like an unconventional family, is significant—it leads to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus!
Ruth’s story reminds me that God doesn’t limit His plans to neat and tidy boxes. He can work through the most unexpected people and situations to bring about His purposes.
I’m sure thankful God’s family isn’t defined by bloodlines, ethnicity, or social status. It’s made up of people from every walk of life.
Whether through adoption, unexpected circumstances, or the redemption of broken stories, He is faithful to bring people together to fulfill His purpose. No one is left out of His plan, and that includes you.
