God Redeems a Shattered Heart and Broken Future: Lessons from the Book of Ruth

God sees us—all of our joys and every heartache. He cares for each of us and provides for us. Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young was reminded of these truths in the book of Ruth during a time when her life took an unexpected, painful turn. A remarried widow and mother of three, Dorina is passionate about helping others navigate life’s unexpected trails and flourish in their God-given callings. She is a retreat leader, bible teacher, and author of numerous books, including Redeemer: God’s Lovingkindness in the Book of Ruth. It’s my joy to welcome Dorina to the farm’s table today…

Guest post by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

From the red couch in our living room, I had a view of the Japanese maple tree in the front yard.

“This was a living, breathing story of God’s heart for vulnerable women like Ruth and like me.“

The ruby red, emerald green and glowing gold leaves danced a slow waltz before me. Those leaves finally floated to the ground, and in the days to come frost covered the trunk. Some days fog and rain swirled through the branches.

After a swift battle with cancer, my husband soared to heaven that September, leaving me with three young daughters and a shattered heart.

Just a few months after his funeral, I attended a Bible study at my church where they were studying the book of Ruth. God helped me find him anew through the pages of this book. Suddenly, Ruth was no longer a fairy tale to me. This was a living, breathing story of God’s heart for vulnerable women like Ruth and like me.

My heart was captivated in the first chapter when we were introduced to three widows—one older and two younger. I felt the gravity of their situation in a new way.

I wept with these women. Their sorrow was my sorrow. I understood the bond between them in a much greater way because of what I had lost and endured. I learned to navigate grief alongside these women. 

One of the hardest parts on my journey was stepping into a new relationship and trusting again. After my husband’s death, my heart felt like a shattered glass that couldn’t ever be repaired. It was hard to hold on to hope and imagine a redeemed future. 

Maybe some of you can relate. Maybe you have been betrayed or you are navigating a broken relationship. Maybe you are widowed, divorced, or single and feeling uncertain about the future. Maybe you’ve walked through some kind of loss, abuse, or trauma. When your heart has been shattered, it’s hard to step out in trust and hold on to hope. 

“When your heart has been shattered, it’s hard to step out in trust and hold on to hope.“

I struggled to believe God could redeem my story. I worried that pursuing a relationship with Shawn would mean more heartbreak for my girls and me. At the core of it, I was afraid to risk loving someone again. 

Then one surprising day, tiny green shoots appeared on the branches of the maple outside my window. New leaves, new life emerged and covered the tree.

On that particular morning, I was journaling my prayers. I cried out to God to give me peace and clarity about dating Shawn. I remember looking up and seeing my late husband Ericlee sitting next to me on the couch. He told me gently, “It’s okay. This is what I would have chosen. I know my friend Shawn will care for you and the girls. I trust him.”

Just as quickly as he appeared, he was gone. God used that vision to steady my heart and give me confidence to step forward in a relationship with Shawn. We might not always have a vision in tough situations and uncertainty, but the Lord faithfully provides guidance in many ways.

In Ruth 3:10, Boaz blesses Ruth and calls her “daughter.” In the past, Ruth has often been referred to as a Moabite or as a woman. She has been held at arm’s length, stereotyped, and put into a category by everyone except Naomi. Boaz speaks to her with tenderness and familiarity, calling her “daughter” just as Naomi does. Some commentaries say this indicates the age difference between Boaz and Ruth. The text doesn’t give us all the details, but we know that “daughter” is a term of endearment.

In Mark 5:34, Jesus uses this same term of endearment to address a woman who suffered from bleeding for twelve years. “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”

This woman was an adult, but Jesus intentionally calls her “daughter”—the same word that Boaz uses for Ruth.

“Words have the power to pierce our hearts or empower us.“

The old adage says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Words have the power to pierce our hearts or empower us.

The woman who reached out to touch Jesus’ garment feared humiliation and shame. She didn’t push to meet Jesus or talk to him because she didn’t want to draw attention. She believed he could heal her and reached out. And she is the only person in the New Testament to be called “daughter” by Jesus. This word “daughter” honors and empowers the woman who bled for twelve years just as it honored Ruth.

The Message version of Ruth 3:10 invites us into the emotion of the moment: “He said, ‘God bless you, my dear daughter! What a splendid expression of love! And when you could have had your pick of any of the young men around. And now, my dear daughter, don’t you worry about a thing; I’ll do all you could want or ask. Everybody in town knows what a courageous woman you are—a real prize!’”

Boaz doesn’t just reluctantly agree to this assignment. Ruth didn’t work hard to persuade him. He eagerly stood up as the redeemer. In Ruth 3:11, Boaz encouraged Ruth by saying, “Do not fear” (ESV) or “Don’t you worry about a thing” (MSG).

His words were filled with kindness and promise. We can imagine that these are rungs on the ladder of trust for Ruth.

God showed me his abundant kindness on the gritty trail of my life. Through wild “just-so-happened” circumstances, God brought me through by his goodness and grace, and I’m living out the details of that next chapter today.

“…our good and great God sees us, knows us, and is in the business of redeeming the pain and brokenness in our lives.“

Of course, all our stories are different, and our journeys are unique. So Ruth’s story isn’t an instruction book telling us how to navigate challenges and hardships. Instead, Ruth teaches us that our good and great God sees us, knows us, and is in the business of redeeming the pain and brokenness in our lives. 

Pray with me:

God, thank you that you continue to work behind the scenes, gently guiding me toward redemption and trust in you. Ruth and Boaz lived this out in courageous ways; oh, give me some of what they had and lead me to trust in your providence. Amen.

*Adapted from Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young. ©2025 by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press. www.ivpress.com.*

Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young (MFA, Hollins) is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and journalist. As the author of several Bible studies and devotionals including her newest devotional Redeemer, Create in Me a Heart of Mercy and Breathing Through Grief, Dorina frequently speaks at churches and retreats. She is also the author of several children’s books, including Cora Cooks Pancit and Chasing God’s Glory. A self-described foodie and an avid runner, Dorina lives in Central California with her husband Shawn and three daughters. Connect with Dorina at www.DorinaGilmore.com. 

In Redeemer, a six-week Bible study, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young invites us to view the book of Ruth as more than a Hallmark-tinted story, but rather as a story that proclaims God’s heart for the vulnerable, including widows, orphans, immigrants, refugees, and the poor. As Ruth’s story unfolds, we discover that God is the main character and that he is the true Redeemer, for Ruth and for us today.

{Our humble thanks to  InterVarsity Press for their partnership in today’s devotional.}