Word Travels

Word travels. It amazes me how both the good and bad “words” of things people have done or things that have happened to people travel further than we would expect. With the age of information….word travels so very fast today….

Sometimes people find out things, such as the death of a loved one, by inappropriate means like social media. I hate it when that sort of thing happens. I do love it though when I can open my Facebook newsfeed or Instagram and see anniversaries celebrated, awards received, or simple “statuses of appreciation” from people or read about the success someone is enjoying. Some probably share TMI.

I truly enjoy staying connected to people and especially enjoy celebrating the “great” things that happen in people lives. I am thankful as well to be able to use social media to sympathize with and pray for others when the not so good happens.

I love reading the story of Naomi and Ruth in the Bible found in the Old Testament in the book of Ruth. There are many stories within the story but the one I want to focus on today is when Ruth (a widow) is taking care of her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi.

Ruth travels to a field to pick up “leftovers” left behind by the harvesters. It was common practice to allow others to gather in the fields to provide food for the family. Ruth was in a field owned by a wealthy man named Boaz. While she was gathering leftovers to care for herself and her mother-in-law, Boaz shows up and tells Ruth that she should stay in his field, to “hang” with his servant girls and get water from his men when she needed it. He also assured her that she would be protected.

After such a kind gesture she asked Boaz, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me–a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10). Boaz replies in Ruth 2:11, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband–how you left your father and mother ad your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

Even back then, word traveled…the good that Ruth had done had been talked about and word had spread. Kindness and goodness are worth spreading……I love being able to highlight and share when I hear of or see someone doing good.

There is so much negative and bad in the world but there is GOOD. There are still kind-hearted, good people who do wonderful things worth sharing! Take the time this week to notice the GOOD others are doing. When you hear it or see it, share it! Bless them with your recognition of the good they are doing.

It can be a personal word, a post on Facebook, or a simple text….to say, “Hey I saw/heard of what you are doing…. bless you or great job!!” Most people don’t do kind acts in order to get noticed or receive praise. Highlighting the good when you see it is always a Great thing. It, first of all, encourages and second, could inspire someone else to do the same thing.

It would be so easy to focus on the negative. Psalm 14:1 points to the reality of evil in our world, “…They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.” But we have an opportunity to glorify God in looking for the good. Look at Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who looks for the good in others and chooses to leave others better than you found them….glorifying God in the process.

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