Hurry

“Hurry, let’s go!”

I’m sure I say it at least three times on a good day.

And on the not so good days? Well, let’s just say it’s more than three, and leave it at that.

I’m constantly rushing. I jump out of bed and rush the kids to get up and get ready. If they stop to chitchat during breakfast, I stand over them and reiterate, “Keep eating. Hurry or we’re going to be late for the bus.” I rush about my chores, dash through the shower, and sprint around feeding and diapering the baby.

When these items are done, I can write my next article. And when enough articles are under scurried my belt, I’ll establish a platform for speaking. It’s certain when I have a speaking platform, I will finally race through that book proposal I’ve needed to complete. And when the proposal is finished… You get the idea.

I’m too focused on speedy and not focused enough on steady.

Ruth was steady. After losing her husband, she followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, to a foreign land. With no money and no prospects, she left early one morning telling Naomi she would glean the fields for food. Harvesters were instructed to leave some of the sheaves behind for the poor and widowed. Ruth was both. She started early with the backbreaking job of picking up the leftovers.

She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” Ruth 2:7 NIV (emphasis added)

What strikes me about this verse is the word steadily. Were I the widow in this Bible story, the word steadily might have changed to speedily. But let’s look closely at the verse. The foreman (the one speaking in this verse) told Boaz (the field’s unmarried owner) that Ruth began work in the morning and has worked “till now.” He doesn’t say when “now” is, but one can only infer it’s much later in the day. Most likely the short rest in the shelter was around lunchtime.

Had Ruth collected speedily, she would already have left the fields. Instead, she worked steadily and was still there when Boaz arrived on the scene. Those of you who know the story, know that Boaz becomes her hero. He marries her, and their offspring is the grandfather of the great King David, who is also in the direct lineage of Jesus.

God has a divine plan for our lives. Sometimes we are rushing too much to notice. Whatever stage you are in, work steadily. Maybe, like Ruth, you are in a place you didn’t wish for, and your prospects look dim. Have you suffered great loss? Are you in a foreign land? Do you find yourself depending on the favor of others for your basic needs? Don’t give up, and don’t speed up. Just keep working, or you might miss out on the greatest blessing of all.

In Him,

Carol

Visit Carol at sheep to the right!

Carol Hatcher

CAROL HATCHER is a wife, mother, teacher, and writer. She taught elementary school for six years when she traded being called “Mrs. Hatcher” for “Mommy.”Carol is a graduate of Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks and has served on faculty for the Glorieta Christian Writer’s Conference. Her publishing credits include P31 Woman Magazine, The Upper Room, Thriving Family, CBN.com, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. She is co-author of Your First Year of Motherhood published by Guideposts. She writes devotions for the Internet Cafe, 5 Minutes for Faith, and The Presidential Prayer Team.Carol and her husband, Alan, live in Buford, Georgia with their three children. She and Alan teach marriage classes at their church as well as lead marriage conferences. They hope to encourage others to create marriages that last.Whether writing or speaking, Carol combines her southern humor with her love for Jesus to share how we can learn from our everyday experiences and grow closer to God. Her passion is to challenge others to be bold for Christ by saying, “Use me, Lord” each and every day.Stop by and visit the flock at her personal website “sheep to the right.”

More Posts - Website - Twitter