As it happened...
Naomi is bitter. She feels the Lord has dealt harshly with her. She went away full, but came back empty. She is bitter.

And she has reason to be. She left Bethlehem (house of bread) in a famine. Left house and property. She lost her husband. She lost her two babies. Life has been harsh to Naomi.

But imbedded deeply in the harshness are signs of Emmanuel, "God with us." First, there were her two daughters-in-law, especially Ruth, who is loyal beyond reason. When the two women return to Bethlehem, Naomi in her bitterness, the author hints that no matter how bitter the circumstances, there is always hope: "They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest." (1:22) Harvest time is always a time of hope, and barley was the first crop harvested. Things are about to get better.

The signs of hope get better for Naomi the bitter. Ruth goes out to glean in the fields. The scripture reports, almost tongue-in-cheek, "As it happened, she came to the part of the field belonging to Boaz..." Co-incidence? Just dumb luck? Must be, for Naomi has it in her head that God is out for her. But I find God in that phrase. "As it happened..."

I've had so many "as it happened..." incidents in my life. String enough of them together, and the hand of God becomes visible. And our bitterness turns sweet. I suppose that is the point!

When was your last "as it happened..." moment with God?