When it comes to commitment and sacrifice in the Bible there is no better story than Ruth and Naomi. These women give us a glimpse at the power of being a mother, and the importance of choosing courage in the face of uncertainty. And these characteristics are what build faith in our homes and families.

Ruth and Naomi

The story of Ruth has long been a favourite of mine. The commitment she showed to her mother-in-law is touching. Even in the face of grief, she held on to the family she had committed to, refusing to leave.

Ruth lived in Moab and married a man who came there from Bethlehem with his mother, father and brother.

For a time they were happy, until her husband and brother-in-law die.

Her mother-in-law, Naomi, had lost her husband and now both sons, so decided to return to her home country. Her daughters-in-law go with her, until Naomi insists they return to their homes so they can live their lives.

Ruth’s sister-in-law; Orpah decides to turn back but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi, saying “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” Ruth 1:16.

I always wonder what kind of woman Naomi was that Ruth would continue to follow her. She leaves everything she knows, her family, her country and follows Naomi to the unknown.

What sort of spark did Naomi carry that ignited a flame in Ruth?

Mother Naomi

This story is about Ruth. The book in the Bible is called “Ruth” but Naomi plays a pivotal role in it.

Ruth didn’t decide on a whim after knowing Naomi for a few days that she was going to follow her, and care for her. She had been married to Naomi’s son for a while.

So they had a relationship. And I think about this relationship as a mom with sons; as a future mother-in-law.

What kind of light can I shine so that not only my children but the family of my children are drawn to it? What did Naomi do to make Ruth want to stay? To sacrifice her life to care for her aging mother-in-law?

Of course we never get an answer to this question but I think that’s because it’s meant to be open-ended. As mothers, we need to walk a path that makes our children want to follow in our footsteps. If our love for Jesus is so tangible, so real that it cannot be denied, then they will have no doubt about it either.

We want to live in such a way that points people down the path of righteousness.

Daughter Ruth

Ruth made a courageous choice, one that was self-sacrificing. She had the kind of heart that God wants a woman to have.

Not because He wants women to set aside their personal desires and always put others first but because when we choose to follow Christ, we may have momentary pain but it leads to everlasting life. That is what Ruth got in this story.

She made an incredibly hard choice, one that had little hope for a future other than being Naomi’s nurse maid. But she decided that’s what she was going to do and nothing would stop her.

And her reputation preceded her. When she went to glean in Boaz’s field, he took notice of her and promised to protect her because he had heard what kind of woman she was; an honest, hard working one.

Her decision to stay with Naomi changes the course of her future, for the better.

Daughter of the King

That’s the kind of determination we as women need to have. We are going to follow God, no matter what anyone says. It may feel difficult now, it may come with an earthly price tag, but the end is worth it.

Ruth ended up marrying Boaz and became the great grandmother of King David.

We may not become great grandmothers to a royalty but we are daughters of the King. Our Heavenly Father has given us a crown to wear. It takes courage and strength to walk with it, but it is worth it in the end.

This story gives a glimpse into our lives as mothers and women of God. How we can lead not only our children but the friends and family of our children down good paths.

The story also shows us that choosing God isn’t always an easy road. It takes courage, strength and sacrifice. The reward may not come quickly, it may not be in our lifetime at all. But God promises to fulfill His covenant with us, He promises to protect those who seek Him and His ways.

Be a Naomi and a Ruth

As women, as moms we need to be both Naomi and Ruth. We need to shine brightly and we need to choose the heavy crown, with courage and commitment.

Our lives as Christians may be filled with time of bitterness. We may feel the need to change our name as Naomi did. But we can’t let that change our relationship with God. We can mourn, we can cry out in pain, we can leave behind places we want to forget. But we have to remember that there may be those who want to follow us. Just as Ruth followed Naomi.

And in our Christian lives we are going to have to choose courage. Maybe more times than we would like to count. We will have to choose God’s path, maybe sacrificing the things we thought we wanted so God can give us the good things He intended for us.

Think about who you are leading and who you are following. Are you leading your family on the path of righteousness? And are you choosing to be courageous as you walk that path so that those who follow walk in footsteps of faith and Heavenly commitment?

Ruth and Naomi give us a good example of how to walk this life as Christian women. Think about the roads they walked, and your own. Shine brightly and walk courageously, just as they did.

Want more on women of faith? Read “Do What He Says.” Mary’s story.

And for more motherhood encouragement grab my devotional “Consider the Wildflowers.” Which is a hybrid devotional and doodle book written for moms to give them a space to pray, reflect and consider why God made them.