Some love is fleeting—conditional, transactional, or dependent on circumstances. But then there’s the kind of love Ruth showed Naomi—the kind that stays. When Naomi had nothing left to offer, Ruth chose her anyway. She didn’t just say she loved Naomi; she lived it.
I think about this as I remember sitting beside my mom in her chemo chair. Her once-strong frame now frail, her smooth, bald head under a baseball cap. That day, she asked me to have lunch with her during treatment. But I was too busy—I “needed” to get in my lunchtime workout and eat my salad with light dressing. Still, she asked.
As I watched her enjoy the cheeseburger she requested, it hit me—I was the problem here. I had been so focused on my own “beautifully crafted healthy lifestyle” and managing her care that I hadn’t truly cared for her. I’d prioritized schedules and appointments over presence. That day changed me. I realized she didn’t need me to organize her life; she needed me to walk alongside her.
Ruth 1:16 says, “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Ruth’s story reminds me of my own journey through loss and resilience. Losing my brother and then my parents shattered me. Grief can be lonely, but what I remember most about those dark moments is who stayed. It wasn’t the ones who had the perfect words or tried to fix things—it was those who simply showed up, over and over, refusing to let me walk alone. Their presence was their love offering.
Ruth didn’t just follow Naomi; she stepped into her pain. Love offerings begin with noticing. When I was drowning in grief, the people who made the biggest impact weren’t the ones who said, “Let me know if you need anything.” They were the ones who showed up at my door with food, sent texts reminding me I wasn’t alone, or simply sat beside me in silence.
Who in your life is hurting? Sometimes love looks like taking the first step instead of waiting for an invitation.
Ruth’s love didn’t stop with words. She worked the fields, provided for Naomi, and built a life alongside her. That’s what love does—it moves. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
For me, creating my journaling decks wasn’t just about selling a product; it was about giving people a way to process their emotions, just like I did after loss. Sharing my story isn’t always easy, but someone else needs to hear, You’re not alone.
After losing my parents, I had to decide if I truly believed God was still good. Grief shakes your faith, but I’ve learned that God’s love isn’t proven by a pain-free life—it’s proven by His presence in it. The more I leaned into Him, the more I found strength to love others well.
Before we can pour out love, we have to be filled with God’s love first.
Ruth’s love was steadfast, sacrificial, and rooted in faith. When we love like that, we become love offerings to those around us. Who needs your presence today? Maybe it’s a grieving friend, a struggling coworker, or even your own family. Love doesn’t have to be extravagant—it just has to show up.
Let’s choose to be love offerings today, extending God’s heart wherever we go.
About the Author:
Jessica Boarman knows what it means to navigate loss and grief. After losing her brother and both of her parents, she found herself wrestling with the weight of absence, learning that resilience isn’t about “getting over” pain—it’s about learning how to live with it. In her darkest moments, it wasn’t grand gestures that made a difference, but the quiet, steady presence of those who stayed.
As she processed her grief, Jessica turned to journaling—a practice that became a lifeline. Writing gave her a space to be honest with her pain, reflect on what truly mattered, and begin healing. Recognizing that so many others struggle to put their emotions into words, she created her JB Journaling Decks to offer gentle guidance and encouragement for those navigating their own journeys. More than just prompts, these decks serve as an invitation for others to explore their thoughts, honor their feelings, and find clarity in the midst of life’s struggles.
Through her podcast, Resilient with Jessica Boarman, writing, speaking, and journaling resources, Jessica reminds others that resilience isn’t about pushing through alone. It’s about showing up—for yourself, for others, and for the journey of healing.
Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: jessica.boarman
Facebook: Jessica Boarman
Pinterest: @jessicaboarman
