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Daughters Where Have You Gleaned Today?

During the course of our journey as daughters of destiny our circumstances may lead us into various fields. They could be fields of ministry, fields of education, fields of community services, fields of motherhood and family. These fields will either produce healthy and fruitful grounds or they will show signs of sickness and barrenness. It's important that we know where we are working and that we follow wise counsel before stepping into something blindly. Read more inside...

Daughters Where Have You Gleaned Today!


Written by Dr. Geraldine McInnis, "Dr.Mom"


 

 

"Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work?" 


Ruth 2: 19 NIV 


 


 


During the course of our journey as daughters of destiny our circumstances may lead us into various fields.  They could be fields of ministry, fields of education, fields of community services, fields of motherhood and family.  These fields will either produce healthy and fruitful grounds or they will show signs of sickness and barrenness. It's important that we know where we are working and that we follow wise counsel before stepping into something blindly.


 


In the book of Ruth we discover a female stranger whose birth country was Moab. Ruth was introduced to an Israelite family who temporarily moved to her country to escape a famine. She soon married into the family and grew very close to her mother-in-law  Naomi. 


 


Well crisis struck again and Naomi's husband and sons died while in Moab. Ruth was the young widow of one of Naomi's sons. Empty and depleted, Naomi decided to return home and start life again. But Ruth refused to leave Naomi's side. She made a declaration that wherever Naomi goes she would go and accept the customs, culture and God of her country!


 


Naomi was deeply concerned about her future, and economic status after arriving back to her familiar land.  It was during the Harvest Feast that she and Ruth returned to Judah.  


 


Naomi shared information with Ruth about a wealthy relative of her deceased husband who had a  productive field.  His name was Boaz.  Naomi updated Ruth on how to conduct herself and how to achieve favor while working in the fields. 


 


Ruth was keen, observant and obedient to wise counsel and advise. She respected and trusted the seasoned words of her mother-in-law.  


 


One day, while working diligently in the fields, Boaz took note of her and inquired: "Who is this young woman? Where did she come from?" (Ruth 2:5 The Message) 


 


Ruth was indeed a hard and steady worker who would only take a brief break to rest from her gleaning under the shelter. She took advantage of every moment to be found working while it was day. 


 


Boaz gave a new set of instructions after learning of Ruth's background and familial connections. He admonished her to not glean in another field but to stay under his covering and protective care. In other words, don't be too hasty to change, jump and hop to other fields.  He further instructed her to stay with his other  female workers and follow along with them. He also informed the male harvesters to not violate, embarrass or rebuke her. Ruth was fed and treated with respect. 


 


During her return to the field to glean further, Boaz told his harvesters to purposely pull out stalks for her from their bundles and to leave plenty for her.  After a long and full day of working in the field Ruth carried the abundance of her labor back to Naomi.


 


With a heart of gratitude and joy Naomi asked her "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" [Ruth 2:19] 


 


May I ask you, daughters of destiny..."Whose field are you gleaning from today?  Are you toiling for nought or have you noticed significant gain and favor in the field you are working? Have you been noticed, protected and respected? Are you walking in the favor of God?"


 


What causes some people to cling and follow another to their journey's end? There was a lot of gleaning going on in the story of Ruth -- spiritually, socially and naturally.


 


I believe that Naomi's lifestyle before Ruth during her tenure in Moab was the start of a magnetic influence which drew Ruth closer to her purpose and promise in life.   The teachings, lifestyle and examples of faithfulness, endurance and loyalty were demonstrated before Ruth through Naomi during a time of obscurity and adversity.  


 


Ruth saw how Naomi walked through the pain and agony of famine, sickness and loss and still managed to walk through that critical time of adversity. Sometimes feeling alone but never forgotten nor forsaken by the Head Master. 


 


To glean means to gather produce left by reapers. It also means to gather information or material bit by bit. The other meaning of gleaning is to pick over in search of relevant material. 


 


Daughters of destiny, "Where have you gleaned today? Better still, whose gleaning from you? What have they picked up? What have they learned during their gathering time under your leadership? What have you dropped on purpose? 


 


May you find much success, prosperity and abundance as you work for your Master. The fields are wide and ready to be harvested.


 


God takes delight in blessing His daughters. May you find joy working and gleaning in His fields! 


 


Dr. Mom

"Bringing Hope, Help & Healing to Hearts, Homes & Houses of God"

 


About the Author

Dr. Geraldine McInnis lives in Bowie, MD and is joined in marriage and ministry with her husband Larry for over 30 years. They have three adult children and one grandson.Geraldine earned her Masters Degree in Christian Counseling and a Doctorate in Theology. She is a crisis interventionist and has pastored for over 16 years.She is one of the refreshing prophetic voices in the Christian arena.