This morning in Calvary Kids, we talked about the story of Naomi and Ruth. Ask your child, “What sad thing happened to Naomi and Ruth?” Naomi and her husband had left the land of Judah to escape a time of famine. Rather than finding relief, Naomi experienced even greater sadness in the loss her husband. Her two sons married, and then they also passed away, leaving Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, in a desperate situation for a woman in that time and culture. When Naomi returned to her homeland, she asked to be called “Mara,” meaning “bitterness,” because of the depth of her pain and sadness. But also ask your child, “How did God take care of them?” Ruth was part of God’s grace to her mother-in-law. She chose to stay with Naomi and traveled back to Judah, even though it was full of unknowns for her. She helped gather grain to provide for both of them and in the process, met Boaz. Boaz eventually married Ruth, ensuring protection and provision not only for her, but also for Naomi. God not only saw their pain, but was with them in the midst of it.

Years later, Jesus was born through the family of Boaz and Ruth. Here in an even more visible way, God was with us in our pain. He chose to live here in our broken world, experience all the same hurts we do, and then endure separation from His Father on our behalf, to provide for our salvation. How does that change the way we go to God in prayer when we keep in mind that He truly understands our disappointments and hurts?

Is there a need your family has right now? Something that is hard or sad? Thank God for the example of God’s care and provision in this story, and then ask Him to provide for your needs, too.