During this time it can be so easy to let our relationships fall by the wayside. We aren’t really going out with friends, let alone seeing people without wearing a mask. This pandemic has forced us all to slow down and really think about the things that truly matter to us.

I’m a relationship girl through and through. I thrive on being able to connect with those around me. When I think of this concept of slowing down and saying yes to the people who matter in my life, I look to the story of Ruth. Probably because I recently read the story and couldn’t go ANYWHERE during the first part of quarantine, but it’s still a great story regardless of the circumstances of my life at this moment. The story begins with Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah. Ruth and Orpah are Naomi’s two in-laws – both have married her sons. The sad thing is, both sons pass away and they’re going through a terrible famine to top it all off. Naomi and Orpah are Moabite women and need the protection of their family if they are not married. So there comes a point where Naomi tells the two girls to return to their families because she can no longer protect them or provide for them. 

Now, this is the beginning of a beautiful concept – Ruth refuses to leave.

She actually exclaims to Naomi in Ruth 1:16-17 

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

This is REALLY AMAZING on several levels: 

This is a beautiful depiction of how we can create community in our lives. Doing this life alone is impossible, and I’ll say it again and again: Community is VITAL. God created us to do life together and it’s important to remember that. This is a time to strengthen your faith, to talk about these things with your people, and create strong kingdom friendships. Say yes to the people around you, be willing to sacrifice time and energy, and get ready to meet people where they are at. This is going to look different right now. This might mean a zoom date with your girls over wine. This might be sharing your screen with someone to watch a movie together. This can look like starting a bible study over zoom with a few other girls. Maybe it’s a walk in the park with a friend. Just keep in mind, it can be imperfect, it can be messy, just give yourself permission to do the thing. Whatever this looks like in this season – don’t let go of your people. Don’t isolate completely, learn to say yes to those who love you even when the situation is not ideal.