Today’s reading: Ruth 3:1-6; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

There’s no question that Naomi and Ruth had a good relationship before leaving Moab. But moving and then settling together in Bethlehem has drawn this mother and daughter-in-law even closer. These two women have truly become a strong team–each contributing from her own unique life experience, as well as bringing to the team her different skillsets, strengths and personality.

God designed us to live and function at our best when we’re in relationship with other people. Reading in Ruth 3 today, brought this passage in Ecclesiastes to mind:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

As I look back over my life, relationships have been vital in that they’ve provided support, guidance, encouragement, and most importantly, spiritual growth. And those relationships have been (and continue to be) with many different people–my parents, my spouse, family members (both blood and through marriage) and special friends. Thank you, God, for creating us to be in relationship with You and with others!

Why is having and maintaining relationships so important? Who are those people who have been, and currently are, your support system? How are you reciprocating and returning the benefits of relationship to them? Tami

Source: Tami’s Blog