In Her Steps – Grieving Mothers – Ruth 1:20

In Her Steps

Grieving Mothers – Ruth 1:20
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

Let’s walk In Her Steps and explore the paths walked by faithful women who knew joy, pain, waiting, fear, and hope. Lois and Eunice model generational legacy and an enduring faith, while Hannah’s story encourages waiting mothers. We’ll learn from Naomi, who shows us how God meets us in grief, and Mary, who reminds every scared or uncertain parent that God is near, even in the unknown. Through their stories, and others, we’ll discover a faith that guides our steps, shapes our families, and points us toward the God who sees every season of motherhood and every heart that longs to nurture, lead, or love.

May 10 – Generations – 2 Timothy 1:5

May 17 – Waiting Mothers – 1 Samuel 1:15

May 24 – Sacrificial Mothers – Exodus 2:3

May 31 – Foster & Adoptive Mothers – Exodus 2:10

June 7 – Grieving Mothers – Ruth 1:20

June 14 – Scared Mothers – Luke 1:30

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

Grieving Mothers

Ruth 1:20

1. Naomi’s grief changed her .

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

Notes:

2. God’s provision began the healing .

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Notes:

Tracy Gill

“My life has been full of good, bad and ugly moments. It’s full of joy now but bitterness and shame sabotaged my soul until I gave my life to Christ when I was 35 years old. I had used drugs and alcohol to try and drown my grief and shame from an abortion. Like the woman at the well, Jesus offered me living water and I drank it up. Jesus did not come for the water, He came for me. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. He has forgiven me and replaced my ashes with beauty and mourning with joy.”

3. God used what grieved Naomi for His .

⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Notes:

Challenge:

What are you doing with your grief today? And how are you seeing God in it?

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Growth Challenge:

Examine how God is using your grief to transform you and those around you.

Read Luke 1 n preparation for next week’s message.

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.