Photo by Karim Manjra

One evening this week, I was recounting my day with my husband.  It seemed like event after event left me with a sad, heavy feeling.  I couldn’t put a finger on why I was feeling that way or the feeling.  As I was explaining this to my husband, he replied, “It’s called loss.  You’re feeling loss.”

He hit the nail on the head.  I would have thought I’d recognize that feeling by now!  This past year has been experiences of loss after loss.  We’re struggling with the loss of community, friendships, family, health, jobs, school, a sense of “normalcy,” and so much more.  Everything is different.  It’s been a year riddled with signs of the enemy: lies and deceit, death, sickness, divisiveness, violence, isolation, manipulation, greed, and grasping for power and control.

In this whirlwind of change and loss, I daily turn to the Bible to stay grounded in truth.  There I find not only encouragement, but the realization that I am not alone in these struggles.  Others have gone before me and have provided wisdom and experience on how to move forward.

I am currently reading the book of Ruth for Bible study and to practice Hebrew.  I came across a Hebrew verb I wasn’t familiar with and looked it up.  The verb means to remain, be left over, or left behind.  It hit me hard as I was experiencing loss in several areas.  It is found in Ruth 1:3 and 5 (underlined).

³ Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, ⁵ both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. (NIV)

I must say, I have not suffered the death of my husband or my children.  My sense of loss cannot compare to Naomi’s, but I can learn from her experience.  In my less intense experiences of loss, I can feel left behind or left without.  I feel alone, disoriented, and desperately miss what once was.

I thought about Naomi’s next actions.  She left Moab to head back to Israel with her two daughters-in-law.  However, on the way, she told them to go back home.  Orpah refused, but then relented and returned to her family.  Ruth, however, would not be dissuaded and remained steadfastly by Naomi’s side.

There are two aspects concerning loss that I learned through Naomi and Ruth.  The first is to value what I do have.  Naomi suffered such pain in her loss that she wanted to let go of everything she had.  Perhaps she desired to save her daughters-in-law from further loss.  Maybe she was bitter, as she did change her name to reflect the bitterness she felt.  Whatever the case may be, I have found that I also can choose to throw away or scorn what I do have when I am suffering loss.  I get wrapped up in the pain and become lost in it, almost desiring for it to swallow me.  But it is better to recognize what I do have and practice offering short prayers of thanks.

The second aspect I learned was the importance of loyal dedication and steadfast love.  When Naomi pushed Ruth away, Ruth stayed.  Ruth was committed in her relationship with Naomi.  Ruth wouldn’t let Naomi give up.  She stayed by Naomi and supported her through the pain of loss, even as they both felt the weight of loss.  I pray that I can be a person like that in the lives of those around me.

As we navigate seasons of loss in our lives, may we be able to value the blessings that remain and support each other in steadfast love.

Scripture suggestions for this week:
Ruth 1
Ruth 2
Ruth 3
Ruth 4
2 Corinthians 4:6-10