Ruth 1: 20 “But she said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.’”
The conversation on the radio turned comical as the D.J. asked if anyone had experienced the “Snickle.” It seems a snickle is a hollowed out sour pickle stuffed with a Snickers candy bar. Can you even imagine? My taste buds are in all sorts of confusion over the thought of this sweet and sour madness. I am confident I will never experience the snickle because in my mind, no sweetness from the candy could be tasted with it incased in a sour pickle.
But this snickle-phenomenon can happen in our lives. Do we fail to discover God’s sweetness among our bitter chapters?
Consider the story of Naomi and Ruth. Naomi’s life took unexpected turns, driving her to the brink of despair. She endured famine, life in a foreign country, and the loss of her husband and both sons. With daughters-in-law her only remaining family, Naomi found herself a grieving widow far from home.
Her options seemed but one: travel back to her homeland alone to reconnect with her past and start life over. Scripture leaves us no doubt Naomi’s vision of her future consisted solely of toil and trouble.
Unable to convince her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to stay behind, the two widows departed for Judah. Their pain and sorrow burdened each step far beyond the bulk of their belongings. Her bitter soul allowed Naomi no words of kindness or gratitude as the two women embarked on their journey.
Once home, Naomi’s hardened heart led her to take a new name, Mara, meaning bitterness. But scripture affords us a vision of a future Naomi nor Ruth could see. Never did they realize the first step of their dangerous journey home was in reality their first step into redemption. Naomi, like the snickle, allowed bitterness to overpower the sweetness of what would come. So, as they packed their bags and closed the door on their life in Moab, the blessings God had planned for them went undetected.
In a turn of events only our gracious God can orchestrate, the final line of Naomi and Ruth’s story could have been, “And they lived happily ever after,” for the Messiah, the Everlasting Joy of the World, would come through Ruth’s lineage. Could it get any more glorious than that?
Can we stop right here and celebrate our unconventional and mighty God? Life’s journey delivers frustrating detours, dangerous summits, and dark valleys. But remember, dear Sisters, blessings lie on other side of trials. May we never choose to be a snickle! Instead, may the sweetness of God’s plan in our lives outshine the bitterness of the moment.
Father God, help us taste and see that You are good and sweet.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane