Everyone desires the good things in life. We all want to be able to afford the comfort and pleasure that life has to offer. Nobody wants to be measured by poverty metrics. Poverty is contagious, therefore people avoid those who exhibit its signs. Even poor people do not want to be linked with poverty. It is not something to be admired and has nothing to do with spirituality. Parents work tirelessly to ensure that their children are comfortable and well-off. It is one of the objectives of parenting. Being able to care for your children gives you an inexplicable sense of fulfilment.
The Elimelechs desired that comfort for their own children and future generations. The current situation of the country left little to be desired. Everything was in a disarray. They considered migrating a few years ago, but there was a glimmer of faith that things might improve. There was no economic statistic that showed any hope at the time; consumer price index (CPI) inflation was at an all-time high, GDP per capita continued to decrease, currency devaluation, insecurity rose in all forms, and the nation's debt profile was outrageous. Forget Economics (and perhaps English), the country was on a rapid downward spiral. This was a few years back, when the country appeared to be at rock bottom and nothing could be worse. Unfortunately, things had gotten worse, and you couldn't even wager against the situation not deteriorating further.
Anyone who considers relocating in a country where there is severe famine is unquestionably not impoverished. Mr. Elimelech was a wealthy guy, even though his net worth was still debated. He was from an influential family. He could still afford to live on that land and be quite content, but he wanted his grandchildren to grow up in a healthy environment. He didn't want them to grow up in a place where all they heard and spoke about was poverty and insecurity. He loved a setting in which they could have endless discussions about UFOs, AIs, and even going to space. He understood 'japa' was the only option. His wife wanted the United Kingdom, but the country had strict restrictions regarding family relocation, so they had to settle for somewhere else. It was a dream come true.
Mr. Elimelech died from an undisclosed disease just a few months after they moved abroad. It was a difficult time for his family, especially his wife. They considered returning home, but opted against it because travelling abroad was their father's desire. They picked up their lives after his death and made considerable progress. A few years later, lightning struck again, and Mrs Elimelech's two boys died in mysterious circumstances just days apart. The autopsy indicated that it was indeed a strange disease. They both left their mother and wife behind. It was a disastrous situation. Mrs. Elimelech felt as if her world had ended. What happens when we finally attain our goals but our loved ones are no longer alive? It's best not to think about it.
She decided it was time for her and her daughters-in-law to return home. The purpose of being in a foreign country was already defeated. You can imagine how much they cried on the way home. She literally returned in worse condition than when she went. Of course, she was well aware that she would be called a variety of names when she returned home. For starters, her new moniker would be 'Witch' and her daughters-in-law would not be spared the insults too. Society would shun them. Mrs Elimelech moved from having a large family to being completely alone in less than a decade. What could be worse than this? Her daughters-in-law had nothing to show for their own marriages; widowed and childless. They all had pain and emotional anguish as common factors in their lives.
Mrs. Elimelech was quite kind to her daughter-in-law. The one who persisted on staying with her. Why would anyone choose to be kind after suffering so much in life? After a while, it felt like a mother-daughter connection. To be honest, the kindness was mutual and they didn't have to fake it. It would have been comprehensible and justified if they had treated each other brutally. They were a bitter bunch. They altered their entire lives as a result of one act of kindness after another. Kindness is more powerful than we realize. It makes life more bearable. It has earned people a place in history. You don't have to do much; just a little dose of kindness and the world will be a better place. When you receive kindness, pay forward.
Article is culled from Naomi and Ruth’ story in the bible (Ruth 1-end).