A Pleasant Surprise

 I think we have all probably been depressed about a situation in our lives at one point or another. We have something negative that happens, and then the more we think about it, we convince ourselves that nothing good could ever come out of it. However, then we find out that we were very wrong. We have a good outcome. It becomes such a pleasant surprise that we almost can't believe it happened. 

That is what happened to Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law. She was bitter because of losing her husband and sons. She thought she would be suffering the effects of that for the rest of her life. (Ruth 4:16,17) However, God had a different ending to her story. Naomi took Ruth and Boaz's new baby boy and cuddled him to her breast. She cared for him as if he were her own son. The neighbor women said, "Now at last Naomi has a son again." They named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. What an amazingly pleasant surprise! 

Naomi went from being a widow and losing her sons to being the grandmother of Obed in a relatively short period of time. She went from being bitter to being very pleasant, which was the meaning of  her name. I believe all grandparents will agree with me on this. All of this happened because of the grace of God. Ruth unknowingly went to Boaz's field to glean first. God touched his heart to help her and to marry her. Then, they had a son, from whom Jesus was decended.. Only God can do things like that, but He does them all the time for those who trust Him.

God is such a loving and gracious God! He is the Master of pleasant surprises. As Christians, we should always have a positive attitude about our lives because we belong to Him, and we know that He can cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Therefore, we really should never get depressed or bitter. We should be hopeful and expectant about what the next pleasant surprise from the Lord will be. If we have that outlook, it will lift our lives to new heights.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 1-3.