As we see the story unfold for Ruth and her family, we see a very difficult time in life. Naomi has lost her husband and two sons and now feels the responsibility for her two daughters-in-law. While this is a lot to bear, let’s also keep perspective. These are ordinary people in ordinary times. This is important for us to remember, as the lessons we will see in the book of Ruth are meant for us…ordinary people in ordinary times. We all like to believe that the characters in the Bible are special and the issues and events of their lives are unique. At times they may be, but in reality most are just like us: living life during normal times.Look at the focus of Naomi: amidst the hardship of life, she has heard about the Lord coming to the aid of His people, and she made a decision. A decision to leave the place she was living and to go back to the land of her people and see if she too could experience God’s aid. While we will see later that Naomi does not have the best of attitudes, her actions appear to be appropriate. I believe she could only have heard of God’s aid if she was talking to “her people” (similar to other believers), and listening to God. I believe she made a decision to leave because she was listening. The lesson for us is to be sure we are actively listening…. to the right people. In your decision-making, are you seeking counsel from those who have spiritual authority over you or who have spiritual wisdom? Are you actively asking God what you should be doing or saying, or where you should be going? Or are you in charge with no need for God or others?