I Got You

Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me?” Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go.” – Ruth 1:11-16 excerpts (NRSV)

Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi are having here what we might call a “tough conversation.” This plea from Ruth to her mother-in-law is radical.

“Do not press me to leave you! Where you go, I will go.”

You have to understand, these women were going through a rough time (which is an understatement). They had just experienced a series of losses. Back to Bethlehem they went, where things would prove to continue to be desperate.

But you know what? These women – with all kinds of biblical #MeToo moments – turned out to be survivors. Because they clung to each other.

“Don’t press me to leave you! Where you go, I will go.”

No matter who you are, you need a Ruth Circle.

What is yours? Is it at the church? It can be. To whom will you say: “Where you go, I will go! Do not press me to leave you! I got you! I have your back.”

Prioritize your own Ruth Circle. In Jesus’ name.

Prayer
For the circles that stand by us, for the sisters and mothers and survivors who have our backs, we give deep thanks.

About the Author
Kaji Douša is the Senior Pastor of The Park Avenue Christian Church, a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, in New York City.