Finish the Day's Work

Devotion: Ruth 2:17-18

I will be honest that my original plan for the blog this week was to gloss over these verses and get back to the topic of being noticed that takes up in 2:19. Yet, as I read through these passages again this morning I found a Word from the Lord here. Perhaps it is because I am one of those people who never quite finishes anything. As a pastor my work is usually ongoing and so my profession is a good fit for me. Yet, there is something deeply satisfying about finishing the day's work. In our passage today, Ruth finishes her day's work:

"So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied." -Ruth 2:17-18 ESV

Ruth was able to bring home about 5 dry gallons of barley grain. Her efforts in the field (with Boaz's intervention on her behalf) produced enough food for her and Naomi to live. In addition, Ruth kept her leftovers from lunch and brought those as well. It was a bounty for the two and perhaps more than Naomi had any right to expect. The day's work produced more than enough for the day's needs. This was a blessing for the women.
God works like that in our lives. We have been given work as a gift and as we work we hope that we have enough for the day (and usually we have a bit more). Yet, when it comes to the Lord, we always have an abundance. The provision of His own presence is more than we could ever hope for, yet it is ours out of His great grace. The Lord presents Himself to us in the Word that we have as an abundance. I pray you take up the study of the Word as a discipline and find that the Lord rewards your efforts with an abundance of His presence. You may then finish your day and rest in His abundant presence.

News for You:

• Evelyn Minnich's 100th Birthday Reception will be this Saturday, November 11, from 1-4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of CPC Omak. Come join friends and family in the celebration of this amazing milestone!
• Operation Christmas Child boxes are due in this Sunday, November 12th. We are collecting them in the Sanctuary to send them out with our blessing this week. If you miss the deadline, boxes can be delivered to Cornerstone through November 17th.
• We will have a brief Congregational Meeting following worship on November 12 for the purpose of electing officers (elders and deacons). Please plan to attend.
• Are you looking for a way to connect and serve with CPC? We will be hosting a Ministry Fair during the fellowship hour this Sunday, November 12. Come find ways you can serve and connect!
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing sign-ups can be found at the Welcome Center of CPC. We are currently recruiting bell ringings for Black Friday!
• The Okanogan Community Homeless Shelters is looking for volunteer screeners and overnight hosts for the 2017-2018 shelter season. A training for hosts will take place 11/11 from 2-3 p.m. at New Life Church in Okanogan. Screeners will have a training the same day from 3-5 p.m. Our shelter season will kick off on 11/15 and sign-ups for overnight hosts will be coming to a church near you soon!
• Calling all Men: Men's Prayer breakfast 11/11 at 6 a.m.
• We are always looking for help to prepare meals for our Youth Group gatherings Sunday evenings. Contact Jennifer Fudge if you are interested or sign-up at the Ministry Fair.
• Our Fellowship Hour will be a Thanksgiving Potluck on 11/19. Should be great!