Holding up the 100-year-old wooden flail, our Sunday School teacher explained it was a threshing tool similar to the ones used in the days of Ruth.

We had been studying about Ruth in the Bible, and seeing the flail was like stepping back into time for me. 

Amazed, I ran my hand along the tool’s smooth, wooden surface and touched the hardened leather that joined its two pieces together. 

Ruth must have been a pretty strong woman to swing that flail over her head and beat down on the barley she gleaned from Boaz’s field. I had enough trouble a few weeks ago, trying to hold and start our gas-powered weed wacker!

 I can’t imagine beating down on the barley again and again with that flail in an attempt to separate the grain from its husks. I’m sure Ruth’s hungry stomach, and her mother-in-law Naomi’s depended on Ruth’s strength.

And, if your familiar at all with Ruth’s story, you know that she had to use that strength in many other ways as well. You see ...

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By Debra Torres
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Sometimes, when kids are reprimanded they respond with words like, “You just don’t care about me!”
Parents like me just shake our heads in disbelief at this one.

Mean nothing? Don’t care? Are you kidding?

Someday, our children will understand that our desire to see them walk in obedience comes from a deep set, God-given love for them.

In fact, I came up with something the other day that made one of my kids do a double take. I said, “You are so special – that what you do matters.”