Just one cool story of many

When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I wanted to name her a few different things. But my favorite name was Elizabeth. It meant the same as my birth mom’s name. It also was cleverly versatile. You could cut it into so many nicknames: Elle, Ellie, Eliza, Liz, Lizzy, Liza, Lizbeth, Beth, Bethy. It’s practically endless. My hubby didn’t like it for a first name, so we worked together to come up with another one. Several choices later, we were discussing our final decision in the living room among the entire family.

My father-in-law suddenly cut in with, “I know her name.” I did not like that. As far as I was concerned, it was my baby, my choice. But I stared him down saying, “Oh really, what?” His answer was the perfect response to shut down my attitude and get me 100% on board.

Now, first you’d have to know that while I’ve got a rebellious streak, my entire life’s purpose is to honor the lord. For me, though I fail in this at every turn, it is my wholehearted wish. So I immediately perked up in spite of myself when he began by saying, “I’ve been teaching a study for my Bible Institute students about the book of Ruth.”

A speaker with a gift beyond compare, he went on to summarize his thought like this. “Everyone speaks about the faithfulness of Ruth, and rightfully so. But imagine what an amazing woman Naomi must have been in order for her daughter-in-law to be willing to follow her into a strange land far from her family, religion, and culture. Into poverty and intense loneliness. Naomi must have proven herself to be extraordinary in order to inspire that level of loyalty and dedication.”

So, um, anyway… have I ever mentioned my daughter, Naomi? She’s an extraordinary person who inspires loyalty. I have to give my father-in-law kudos for getting that one so right.