hello my name is social distance and today's encouragement from our daily bread I share a personal story about a sweet but difficult time with my mom in rooted in love
 I arrived at the Cancer Care Center where I be serving is my mom's live-in caregiver feeling alone and afraid I left my family and support system more than 750 miles behind me
 but before I could even touch my luggage Frank a man with a huge grin offered to help
 by the time we reach the 6th floor I made plans to meet his wife Lori who cared for him during his treatments the couple soon became like family as we leaned on God and each other
 we laughed vented cried and prayed together
 though we all felt displaced our connection to God and each other kept us rooted in love as we supported one another
 when Ruth committed to caring for her mother-in-law Naomi she left the security of familiarity behind
 Ruth enter the field and began to clean behind the Harvesters the overseer told the landowner Boaz that Ruth came into the field and remained working except for a short rest in the shelter Ruth found a safe place with people willing to care for her as she cared for Naomi
 and God provided for Ruth and Naomi through Boaz is generosity
 life's circumstances can provide roads to unexpected places far beyond our comfort zones
 as we remain connected to God and each other he'll keep us rooted in love as we support one another
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Ruth chapter 2 verses 5 to 13
 Boaz ask the overseer of his Harvesters who is that young woman belong to
 the overseer replied she is the moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi
 she said please let me clean and gather on the shoes behind the Harvesters she came into the field and has remained here from morning till now except for a short rest in the shelter
 so Boaz said the roof my daughter listen to me don't go and clean it another field and don't go away from here stay here with the women who work for me watch the field where the men are harvesting and follow along after the women I have told the men not to lay a hand on you
 and whenever you are thirsty go and get a drink from the water jars the menifield
 at this to bow down with her face to the ground she asked him why have I found such favor in your eyes that you noticed me before
 Boaz replied 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 and your Homeland and came to live with the people she 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
 may I continue to find favor in your eyes my Lord she said you have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant the why do not have the standing one of your servants
 let's pray
 loving father thank you for promising to be with us and for providing all we need in Jesus name we pray amen
 today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries