Unshaken by Francine Rivers

affection for him, but it was the kind they would have for a father or an older brother.
    Had any woman ever looked upon Boaz with love? Had the mere sight of him walking by stirred any woman’s heart with passion the way hers had been stirred for Mahlon? She couldn’t imagine it, and that saddened her. How old was Boaz? Fifty? Sixty?
    The poor man. For all his wealth, what did he have that would last?
    Oh, Lord, God of Israel, don’t let the name of Boaz die out.
    She watched him talking with Shamash and thought he looked so solemn. Did he ever laugh? What did he do when he wasn’t checking on the progress in his fields, seeing that his servants were well cared for, or serving the community by making heavy decisions at the gate? He had friends, but could he confide in them as he would a woman who loved him? What were his dreams? She had seen the sorrow in his eyes. Was it a sorrow born of having no one who cared enough to look beneath the rugged casing of the man into his heart and spirit?
    He must have sensed her attention, for he glanced her way. Her feelings of tenderness swelled, and she smiled, giving him a nod of respect, and quickly looked down. She had cause to be thankful that God had led her to this field and this man. When she glanced up, sensing his perusal, Boaz looked away. One of the maidservants noticed the silent exchange and gave her a curious look. When she spoke to another close by, Ruth felt the heat climb into her cheeks. Did these young women think she was showing an inappropriate interest in their master? He was a rich man, after all. There were women who would want to be his wife for that reason alone, without thought to his feelings.
    Shaken, Ruth kept her attention on her work for the rest of the day. She didn’t want her interest in Boaz to be misinterpreted. Gossip could destroy her reputation and cause him embarrassment. She would keep her eyes off the man and pray for him instead.
    Oh, Lord, God of mercy, remember this man for his kindness toward the less fortunate. Let his name be held in esteem not for this generation only, but for generations to come, for surely Boaz is Your faithful servant. He proclaims Your name with every opportunity. He is a man who desires to please and obey You. Oh, Jehovah-jireh, this lonely man has been a tool of Your mercy and provision. I know You are enough, but surely a man such as this one was not meant to be alone. May it please You to give him whatever his heart desires. . . . Oh, Lord, oh, Lord . . .
    She prayed unceasingly for her benefactor. She thought of little else but Boaz while she worked in his field.
    And the more she prayed for him and thought about him, the more she saw his goodness.

          
    Naomi prayed fervently as well. She set her grief aside in favor of her love for Ruth and a desire to see her daughter-in-law settled somewhere better than in this cave. Naomi knew it was time she stopped grieving and started to live again, no matter how painful the effort. It was time to take a good hard look at her own life instead of attending Elimelech’s mistakes. Nothing she supposed would happen had happened. Hadn’t she left Kir-hareseth expecting to travel back to Bethlehem alone? And Ruth had come with her. Hadn’t she expected to be destitute? And Ruth worked in the fields to sustain her. Hadn’t she expected all her friends and family to be dead or gone away? And she’d found half a dozen women she’d known and Boaz, as well as another relative.
    Boaz was attracted to Ruth. Anyone who bothered to study the man would know. Naomi also knew him well enough to realize he wouldn’t speak up and make any attempts to win her. The man’s hair would go white and fall out entirely before he allowed his feelings to show openly.
    And Ruth would go on dedicating her life to providing for her poor old mother-in-law. She would work until her back was bent and her womb dry. She’d slave away until Naomi had gone the way of her