Gleaning with Purpose

I wanted to share a special moment from an outing yesterday with some of our program students. We visited John’s farm, a kind-hearted man who allows us to glean from the outer rows of his cornfield. None of us were seasoned corn-pickers, but just like Ruth in the fields of Boaz, we stepped into unfamiliar work with willing hearts. What started with uncertainty quickly turned into joyful teamwork. Everyone found their rhythm, encouraged one another, and got their hands dirty for a good cause.

By the end, we had gathered a generous amount of corn to bring back; a beautiful reminder of how God still provides through the kindness of others and the labor of many. Just as Ruth was blessed through her faithfulness and Boaz’s generosity, we too experienced God’s provision through this simple yet meaningful act of service.

It was more than just an outing; it was a living reflection of Ruth 2:12:

“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

Written By: ODM’s Joseph