A Widow's Decisions

Ruth 1:6 Then she arose

I would never presume to imply that I know what a widow goes through in her grief and struggle. But the Bible does give us a glimpse into the life of this widow, Naomi, and there may be helpful wisdom here for those who have lost their husbands in death.

Naomi not only lost her husband, she lost her two sons. All the family that remained around her were the widows of her sons, Ruth and Orpah. Ruth 1:3-5 This is the kind of grief that can understandably be paralyzing to some. But Naomi decided to take control of her life. She made some hard decisions and then acted:

Ruth 1:6 Then she arose... I guess the first and most difficult decision is to move on with life. To stand up and face the day. For some I expect that is another loss all in itself. Moving on may seem to be a betrayal of the deceased... but it is what any loving husband would want for his widow: move, live, continue on.

Ruth 1:7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was... She took responsibility for her economic condition, which meant she had to move from the home she had made with her husband and sons to a more secure place where she had a broader support system. Oh how hard this must have been... to walk away from the home where they had all been last together... but she did it.

Ruth 1:8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, “Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.” She released those loved ones around her from any obligation to her. She wanted them to move on with their lives too.  Ruth 1:8-14 She put their lives, happiness, and well-being before her own. What love and courage she showed! This release must have been so difficult, sort of like removing the last blanket of comfort separating her naked body from the cold harsh world. But she did it... and God blessed her. If you think about it this sacrifice and selflessness is a Jesus kind of thing.