Ruth -- A Woman Who Listened.

Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today?  . . . Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz," she said.
"The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers."
Then Ruth the Moabite said, "He even said to me, 'Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.' "
Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else's field you may be harmed."
So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvest were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.  Ruth 2:19-23.
As we watch the story unfold, we see some very admirable qualities about Ruth:
First, she was loyal and committed to her mother-in-law. This is evident not just because she left her country and traveled to an unknown place with Naomi, but she stayed with her when they got to Judah. She did not use her as a means to an end. She was totally committed to her well-being. Her words were backed by her actions. Loyalty and faithfulness are rare qualities in our world which is riddled with selfishness and a desire to betray others just so we can get ahead. May God find us loyal and faithful!

Second, Ruth was a humble and respectful woman. Her mouth was filled with gracious and respectful words. We see it in her exchange with Boaz, "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord . . . You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant -- though I do not have the standing of one of your servants." Humility and a respectful attitude lead to many open doors because they endear us to people. The Bible declares in Proverbs 3:3-4, "Let loyalty and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

Third, Ruth was a transparent person. She shared her day with her mother-in-law in a very honest fashion. She did not hide the fact that she found favor with Boaz. This enabled Naomi to give Ruth appropriate advice that profoundly altered her future. Many times we tend to withhold information from the very people who can be used by God to open doors for us. Such cunningness is to our own detriment.

Finally, Ruth was a woman who listened. She listened to the wise counsel of her mother-in-law and heeded her advice to continue gleaning in Boaz's field. She listened and God blessed her.

Prayer: Father, please help me to be loyal, humble, respectful and a good listener. Amen.