“Stop pushing me away,

insisting that I stop following you!” (Ruth 1:16a VT)

Sometimes our greatest ally or potential best friend, is the one we push away.  Like Naomi, we have renamed and misnamed ourselves with such words as “bitterness,”“unworthy,” or “unlovable.” But you are not those negative attributes you have ascribed to yourself.  You are a child of God, worthy of love and friendship. Receive these good gifts from above, and avoid the urge to push them away.