Living with a loss

Verse:

Ruth 1:1-22 Ruth 1 (ESV)

 

Message of the day:

‘Mother hangs herself after hearing the news that her only son was killed by miscreants’, read the headlines of ‘Times of India’. Going through a loss is difficult and living with the loss is much more difficult. It could be the loss of life, honor, job or property. The loss of those so dear and near to us is a terrible thing to bear. It was very difficult for me when my grandfather, who brought me up, died. He was the bread-earner of our family when he died and his death had put the future of our family at stake.

People try to avoid places, persons and programs that would bring back bad memories. Because that could be haunting. Relatives, friends and others visiting war memorial of soldiers who died in Vietnam War or that of the victims of 9/11 in the U.S. or 26/11 in Mumbai, break down.

Naomi lost her husband and her two sons in a foreign land. The responsibility of running a family of widows fell on her. You may also be living with a loss of someone dear to you. The thought of that person might bring tears to your eyes. The loss of that person might have put you in cross-roads. You could be dumb-struck, not knowing what to do. Naomi not only learned to live with her loss, but set an example to her daughter-in-laws. Naomi not worrying about her own loss, sought the interest & comfort of others.

The Lord allows loss in our life, so that we might sympathize with such people. So that we could become a pole of hope on which others can lean. Naomi’s life was an inspiration to Ruth. That enabled Ruth to put her trust in her mother-in-law and follow her. Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the harvest. (Ruth 1:22) When we stop worrying about our losses and start caring for others, God will make new beginnings and instil new hope in our life and that of the others. You could be a channel of God’s blessing in the lives of others.

Prayer:

Lord, when I think about the loss that I have had, it is terrible. I can’t stop worrying, but only cry. Thank you for teaching me this beautiful truth from Your Word. Give me the strength to bear my loss and help me to bring back joy in the faces of those who are hurt and down with their losses. Help me to seek those who are discouraged, tired, torn within & hopeless and make me a blessing in their lives. In Jesus name, Amen.