We all know the feeling of abandonment. It’s the way your heart drops into your gut when you get the phone call that mom is gone. It’s the stillness of an empty house when the hum of family life comes to an end. It’s the dread of the weekend, knowing you’ll be home alone on Friday night — again. 

When life leaves us feeling empty and bitter, the book of Ruth reminds us not to give up on God.   

Following the death of her husband and sons, Naomi decides there’s nothing left for her in Moab. She makes a plan to return to her hometown of Bethlehem and sends her daughters-in-law back to their families to start over. But one of them, Ruth, refuses to leave Naomi’s side. 

The book of Ruth is the story of two women trying to begin again. Through their struggle, God demonstrates His faithfulness and shows us how He can bring great blessings through the most unlikely circumstances.