Why would you change your name?

On Sunday we start our series on the book of Ruth and I was struck by the pain Naomi went through in the loss of her husband and her two sons. Her name, Naomi, means 'delightful', but that is not how she felt. When she returned home she wanted people to call her 'Mara' which means 'bitter'. She had been so hurt by the circumstances of life that she couldn't even bear to hear her name.

The reality is that people carry around so much hurt in their lives. Healing from the wounds of life often takes time and is one of the most significant experiences that makes up who we are. In the end the book of Ruth is not about Naomi or her daughter-in-law Ruth, but of a God whose plans are purposes are bigger than we can first see. Trust him and praise him!