"IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN"

*Ruth became bitter, because her relationship had been cut off(Elimelech had died)

*Ruth spotted Boaz gleaming in his field)

*this would not have happened if Ruth’s blood had prevailed

*it happened because Boaz’s blood prevailed

*its a story about how a gracious man took a woman in and took care of her

*they went to Moab to survive, but ended up there eleven years. But Elimelech did not survive the famine, nor their sons

*Ruth was trying to survive amid adversity

*this made Ruth realize that the famine was not that bad

*sometimes we ask God to take us back to when it was just bad rather than worse

*God has a way of showing us that we have to endure our famine as well

*there is a secret fraternity that exists of people who have had to endure their pain

*they can relate to others pain

*it was through the struggle that we are able to see God show up in our life

*when problems show up, God shows up in ways we have never seen him show up before

*sometimes you have to look back and reflect on the hills (struggles) God has bought you over

*Naomi has decided to return home, frustrated

*What do you do when you realize you have missed your season? Naomi was older and it was too late to start over, she felt like God had forgotten about her

*How do you tell her it’s not a coincidence, God is in complete control

*no matter what situation you find yourself in, it doesn’t just happen, God knows

*when you understand that you won’t charge God falsely

*you can’t talk down to people because they leave. Don’t talk down to them

*don’t try to resurrect things God is trying to pull you away from

*Ruth was willing to gather the scraps for her and Naomi, she was willing to work

*it was Devine Design that caused her to land in Boaz’s field

*it didn't just happen, God orchestrated it