“Can I bring dinner by?” The response on the tip of my tongue was, “No, of course not; we’ll be fine.” We hadn’t had a baby, lost a loved one, or even moved houses. But my dear friend saw the stress etched across my face from the life situations stacking up. The end of the school year, my mom hospitalized in a different state, and a pile of work. I was simply drowning.

Her simple offer helped me realize I wasn’t left alone. God knew my state of frailty and offered me life support through the hands of another. Besides that dinner offer, over the weeks, many women reached out, offering a listening ear and an arm to bolster me. Their existence as willing sisters blessed my moments and also, built me up; their strength pulled me through the rough days and gave me hope.

In our reading today (Ruth 1), the scene is set for the entire book: two women have suffered the tragedy of losing their husbands. Naomi encourages her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to return to her own people, but instead Ruth chooses to stick by her older non-blood relative. These women have formed a bond, prioritizing looking out for each other.

I encourage you to read through the rest of this short book. Beginning with Ruth coming alongside Naomi to support her, working in the fields so they could both eat, and then wrapping up with Naomi helping Ruth make wise decisions about her future, this book speaks volumes about faithfulness and loyalty.

As women, we carry a unique expression of the heart of God. We can emulate the compassion and empathy in Him and offer that gift to one another. Be emboldened by your feminine genius to be sensitive to those around you and generous as you lend your arms in support. Praise God for those moments when others have stood alongside you in your hardship, and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to when your sisters need the same from you.

[bctt tweet="Be emboldened by your feminine genius. // Sarah Ortiz" username="blessedisshe__"]

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