When Ruth arrived in Bethlehem it was the beginning of barley harvest. When I started reading that we were in the beginning of grape harvest. Just the word "beginning" is interesting as that implies there might be a longer process to it - including a middle and then, of course, an end. It is never a simple process over here either. Some of our grapes took one day, others took a series of days, not including all the processing.
Boaz was the farmer/owner of the field. He must have done well as he had servants working for him. He had noticed Ruth and asked on of the reapers who she was. He told him she had come back with Naomi and had asked to glean and "she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest." Seems like something unimportant except that I know these are traits my husband appreciates in his help. He is so grateful to our kids that when he needs them on board, they all seem to step up. They work from early morning and really only stop for a "short rest" here and there. During our grape harvest everyone was working very hard. That kind of work is just understood for all farmers - harvest is an incredibly intense time and everyone does it because they know it isn't forever.
Ruth wasn't doing anything for show or to get recognized, but she was noticed and her kind reputation went before her. "Why have I found favour in your eyes that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" It was only because he had heard about her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a a people that you did not know before." I found this also so encouraging as there were many hours I spent in the vines, or even this summer in the garden, or at a washing machine or sink......it seems sometimes like no one knows or appreciates the sacrifices made, yet, Boaz went on and told her, "The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" Ruth was comforted, as was I, by these words and said, "I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to our servant...." It was a reminder to me that I am seen, God knows any sacrifice made. To know it really is God who will repay or reward, though I'm not seeking that. It was a great reminder to keep seeking refuge under His wings, that living a life for God is a place of refuge. I have found favour. He favours me.
Our pastor said this week, light always comes after darkness and Ruth experienced tremendous darkness, yet remained faithful. Her time of darkness was nearly up and she didn't even know it. However, it wasn't with a snap of the fingers. She had to keep gleaning among the reapers. And, just like with the grape harvest, it wasn't just a matter of picking the grain, after she was done doing this in the evening, she still had to "beat out what he had gleaned". This was super interesting to me and I could relate so well to this. We harvested all the grapes and then even though it was supposedly all done, it wasn't. We had to go several more hours into the evening to destem and press it all out. It isn't enough to harvest the grapes, they had to be dealt with. Same with Ruth. It wasn't enough to glean the grain, they had to be beat out. She must have been tired! Talk about long days. I'm sure she wished it would end, that her days would be easier. Did she have a happy heart while she did it, or was she grumbling the whole time. I'm sure she wasn't grumbling.
Finally, one of my favourite parts of the story which always seemed strange to me was when Ruth went to sleep at the feet of Boaz, on the threshing floor. But now I get it. Why was the man sleeping on a threshing floor? I know why. It wasn't because he had no home or that he was poor. Quite the opposite - he was a wealthy man, but a BUSY man - classic farmer. He had no time to go all the way to his cozy bed for sleep. He worked probably until late at night and then fell asleep on the floor. No doubt Naomi knew this and told Ruth - this is where you'll find Boaz - on the floor in the barn. And that's kind of what it has been like around here. Where's Dad? In the "winery/cellar room". Late at night. We almost need to put a bed in there. At one point when all the grapes were coming in, I knew if I wanted to speak to him, I needed to head out to the shop. Scripture just gets it, gets my life, and makes me feel less strange. So thank you, Ruth, Naomi and Boaz for understanding me.
We are now currently in a marketing blitz, trying to unload all the wine in time for Christmas. Will we manage to do it? Can we somehow sell it all before the next vintage comes in? I sure hope so. The only problem continues to be the same problem it always has been - just need to somehow multiply my husband into ten husbands. But because that isn't a possibility yet, I help by being his salesperson, which relieves him a bit and then I pray for strength for him all day every day. And we take one step at at time, one day at a time. And trust that God is in control of everything.
We did reach out to our friends who are home/garden designers/planners. We hope they'll make it out here within the month to help us have an overall plan for the property at some point. Even if it takes years to complete on our own, at least it'll one day look more cohesive than it currently does!
As Christmas approaches, we've made a few changes this year. It looks like the kids will just pick names for one another and then try and work within a budget. That way everyone gets a little something or some "things" and it's exciting to look forward to and it doesn't have to stress me out shopping for everyone, although I'll be taking the little guys out I guess to help them. The older kids have their own money, mostly. It certainly makes for a calmer Christmas.
Well, off I go to continue my sales and marketing job.
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