The Best Love Story Ever Told-Part IV (Revised)

If you haven’t read Part I, II or III do so before reading this. Click the number to take you there. For those who've been following along let’s get back to the story.

Ruth asks Boaz why he chooses such a girl as her to look after but all and all she graciously accepts his warning to glean only within his field. After Ruth finishes out her long day in the field she goes home to check in and feed her mother in law, Naomi. She asks Ruth about her day and Ruth informs her of such a nice man by the name of  Boaz who insisted that she hang out with the other girls from his field. She also tells her that Boaz allowed her to take as much from the field as her heart desired. Naomi was very familiar with how much of a gentlemen Boaz was because he was kin to her deceased husband.

Lesson #9- Check in often with your mother figures and listen to the advice they give you. Let her know what’s going on in your personal life. Often times they know better than you do. If you have to hide what’s going on than there may be deep seated issues with what it is you’re concealing. Seek wise counsel to help get those issues resolved.

Lesson #10-Check a man’s intentions, motives and his references. Ask questions ladies. There’s nothing wrong with checking a man’s intentions upfront because in the long run it will save you a lot of time, heartache and headaches. If he’s not interested in the same things you’re interested in and his motives aren’t something you can deal with then it’s perfectly ok to keep it moving. Often time’s men will tell you what their intentions are early on, however it’s some women who think if we stick around long enough maybe he’ll change his mind. Possibly but is it likely? Also observe how he treats others around him. This can provide you with some insight as to how he’ll treat you.

Lesson #11- Don’t talk so much. Yes I said it. Sometimes we need to just be quiet. Boaz instructed Ruth to hang out with the other girls and she could have easily said no, got an attitude or told him off.  Real men don’t like women that give a lot of lip. Pick and choose your battles ladies; everything doesn’t warrant a comeback or a remark. Sometimes it’s ok to be the weaker vessel. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t ask questions or be concerned but do it graciously like Ruth did. Even Naomi advised her to listen to him. Boaz was only looking out for Ruth’s best interest to protect her. He knew the area better than she did and he made provisions for her. This leads me to my next lesson.

Lesson #12- Let a man be a man. Let him take care of his own business. Babying and disabling him won’t teach him anymore than him getting up and taking care of his affairs for himself. You know how some women try to make all these provisions for men. Like putting in applications for his employment,  paying his bills for him, filing his taxes, getting him on his feet, getting him out of trouble, going to court for him or paying his child support etc. If he knew how to get himself in those predicaments let him learn how to get himself out of them. I’m not saying not to be supportive but let him do the brunt of his own work.

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The Best Love Story Ever Told-Part III (Revised)

If you haven’t read the Part I and Part II be sure to check it out before you begin
Part III.

Lesson #4- One of the most important lessons in this entire segment was that Boaz made the first move. Some people may not agree with me and this is just my personal opinion, but I’m a firm believer that men should set the tone. We hear so often in society that it’s ok for a woman to make the first move but I beg to differ. Men are made to be chasers and women are made to be chased, not the other way around. Even animals know the difference. If you’ve ever watched the Animal Planet you never see female lions chasing after male lions for play it’s always the other way around. If a man isn’t biting or paying you much attention or he seems uninterested, just keep it moving. It’s as simple as that.

Lesson #5: However, ladies we must make ourselves available. It wasn’t a coincidence that Boaz spotted Ruth working out in the field. She was at the right place at the right time. She was where she could be noticed. I don’t mean to make yourself available by going out solely to find a man but adventure outside of your four walls and do things. Get out of your comfort zone even if it means going to dinner, a play, a movie, museums, conferences, shows, church, musicals etc. solo. You’d be surprised who you’d cross paths with once you get out.

Lesson #6- It’s in a man’s innate ability to take care of a woman. God made men to provide, protect and ensure that a woman’s needs are met. If you’re involved with a man who doesn’t genuinely provide some type of support for you and/or your family than he’s not a real man. I’m not saying that he has to wine and dine you and give you the finer things in life but he better know how to provide for you in some form or fashion. If it means he has to work 3 jobs to provide then so be it. If it means he has to work at McDonalds, Burger King and scrub floors to take care of his responsibilities than that’s what he has to do. Not only physical support but also morally, financially, spiritually and emotionally. There should be no reason why a woman has to work harder than the man.

Lesson #7- In addition to lesson #4, men also look at how women treat others. Boaz was pleased to know that Ruth was looking after Naomi. I believe that gave him more of a reason to shower her with kindness. If you have children from previous relationships, be sure you’re a woman who’s taking care of your family even if you have to do it alone. You may not be able to give them everything they want but the effort will take you further than doing nothing at all. Also, Boaz made sure that not only was Ruth taken care of but he also made sure that Naomi was taken care of too. The same blessing that he showered Ruth, Naomi was also a recipient of it. This means that, a man should also make sure that your family is taken care of. It doesn’t have to be financially necessarily but how can a man turn a blind eye to your children/family that’s without and not try to help in some way.

Lesson #8- Ruth also had a J.O.B. Ladies, get up and handle your business. Widowed and all, Ruth had to get up in the morning and make sure she had food on her table. Don’t wait for handouts. Make sure you’re capable of taking care of yourself with or without a man’s help. Anything a man does for you should only be an extra incentive not as your only source. I believe Boaz took that into account, when inquiring about Ruth. Don’t sit and wait or even expect a man to take care of you because although it’s the honorable thing for a man to do it’s not a commandment that says that he has to. While you waiting for your Boaz, you better make sure you’re on your own grind, handling your own business.
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