Ruth had a broken family. She had married a nice young man, and they were carving out a life for themselves when...he died (see Ruth 1:1-5). Ruth was left miles from home, with no family but her husband's mom. Ruth begged her mother-in-law, Naomi, to let her stick around, and it turns out, Naomi loved Ruth. She helped her find employment in the harvesting fields, and ultimately counseled her in regards to winning Boaz as a husband. When families are broken, God sees to it we are still rewarded with deep relationships. Psalm 68 even says he sets the lonely in families.
One group working for years to set kids in family relationships (when their own family can't swing it alone) is Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The concept of the program is simple. Kids who need an adult with time to give are paired with just that...a big brother or sister who hangs out with them once a week or so. The results of the program have been astounding. Kids who have someone with time to give are far less likely to miss school, smoke and drink, or even react to problems with violence.
What Ruth and Naomi started isn't unusual. Family can be blood, but Jesus pointed out long ago that family is also the church. He "places the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:6). No one needs to be alone.
Action Step
Read all about it...Ruth is a short book. Who is your family?
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