Article March 12, 2018 Issue

Home, unconfined

Heidi K. Van Patten

Home can be such an important part of our lives, providing a sense of security and stability. But what happens when one’s home changes, whether by choice or not? Does the comfort of home change, too?

A story in the Bible in the book of Ruth gives such a good illustration of finding true home. After Ruth married, she left her family to live with her husband’s family. After her husband died, her mother-in-law, Naomi, gave Ruth her blessing to return to her family. We might assume this would also mean a return to the comfort of a more familiar culture. But Ruth said she would stay with Naomi.

To me, this points to a higher sense of home, unconfined by location and governed by God, Love. And it was Ruth’s pure trust in God that led her forward with Naomi to meet Boaz, a man who recognized Ruth’s goodness and not only helped to provide food and home for the women, but eventually became Ruth’s husband.

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