Tunnel VIsion

We are blessed to live just about an hour and a half out of Yosemite. It is one of our favorite places and a very spiritual place for both Mike and me. I was reading an email this morning from a friend who is struggling in some familiar places for me, finding purpose, and that lead me to recall a memory of Yosemite.

Our first trip into the Yosemite valley was about 18 or 19 years ago. We approached from the south, heading home to Oregon after a trip to Disneyland for the kids. As we drove down a winding road, the view was less than spectacular. We entered a tunnel and as we exited. we gasps at the magnificence of the view of half dome. The wonder that is Yosemite valley exploded in front of us. It was beyond anything we had imagined and we were awestruck.

Ruth 4

The whole book of Ruth is interesting culturally and is a perfect example of love and devotion. It is a story of loss, depression and  hopelessness. It is also a story of redemption, faith, love and restoration. Naomi is depressed and hopeless enough to change her name to Mara, which means bitter. Life had not turned out as she had expected. She had lost her husband and two sons. No small loss, and she was left with two daughters- in- law of foreign birth. No where to go but back home in shame and sorrow, total destitute, she returns with Ruth, her devoted daughter-in-law.

Read the account and one can just feel her sorrow and as a woman, the story takes my breath away in anxiety. The process for women in that culture was unique and I do not completely understand it but suffice it to say, Naomi did all in her power to get back on her feet, utilizing the process she had available. As I wrote in an earlier blog, what seems to be by "chance" is God quietly at work in the self-imposed restraints of time.
Chapter four is like driving through  the tunnel at Yosemite for me. All the pieces come together from this messed up situation and the view of the hand of God is spectacular!

Boaz followed the system and offers the redeemer,  his first right of refusal, so to speak. He first speaks of the land and the redeemer is interested but then Boaz mentions both Ruth and Naomi as part of the deal. The first redeemer is not interested because it will "impair my own inheritance". So Boaz, who is less interested in the land and more interested in Ruth and Naomi, exercises his redemptive rights, and marries Ruth.

Here's the view, the breathtaking view of God's handiwork, the hopeless situation turning into hope for all mankind, for you, for me.

Ruth 4:21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, Jesse fathered David. 
Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David . . . .

I struggle with Tunnel vision . . . .

Are there places you cannot see the hand of God? 

        Keep pressing on in faith!            One day at a time!   
                                                                
        He has a spectacular plan!