When you are young and in love, no one knows more about relationships than you. The world spins on a rose-colored axis and the last person you want giving you advice is a parent, because they obviously don’t know how you feel! Later, when that fluffy cloud fails to hold you up, you still can’t listen to the ‘voice of experience’ because you’d hate to hear the dreaded words, “I told you so”. 

Proverbs 12:15 and the story of Ruth and Boaz teach us that listening to the advice of our elders is a wise thing to do. Ruth was a young widow from Moab who chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of her husband. Both ladies traveled to Naomi’s homeland of Bethlehem, where Ruth was a foreigner. Ruth loved her mother-in-law and the respect she had for her allowed her to follow Naomi’s advice to find a new husband. Because of Ruth’s background, it was not likely that she would catch the eye of a new suitor; but God had a plan for Ruth’s life that required her to listen to advice from her elders. God cared about Ruth’s heart and regardless of where she was from or what filled her past, God wanted to use her. Ruth chose to believe in her mother-in-law’s God, the true God, and her obedience to this beloved elder blessed her beyond anything Ruth could have imagined. Ruth met Boaz, a man of stature and Naomi’s wealthy cousin. Boaz was willing to look beyond Ruth’s past as he showed her a compassion and gentleness that could only come from the Lord. God blessed Ruth and Boaz’s relationship, even though it was not Ruth’s first marriage, and from this lineage came our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Life takes its turns and, sometimes, a new start seems unlikely for us. But God just might have a new plan in store. We are wise to seek the advice of our elders when searching for direction in our lives, including a new life partner. Allow God to bless you; seek out wisdom from someone who’s “been there”. Maybe ‘Mother’ does know best!

Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, life is uncertain, but you are faithful. There are times when I can’t see where you are leading me, but it is comforting to know you have a plan. Lead me to those elders that will have words of wisdom for me and help me to follow their Godly advice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1.    Proverbs 12:15 (ESV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.