Coming Back to God When You Feel Empty: Whispers of Restoration From the Book of Ruth

by Tanya Marlow

Where do you go when you’re feeling empty, disappointed with God, and you need some sort of path back to faith? The Old Testament book of Ruth is a surprisingly good place to start, as Tanya Marlow discovered when she gave birth and lost the ability to walk more than twenty metres. A former lecturer in Biblical Theology, she gently interweaves her own story with Ruth’s story, getting under the skin of the characters, and bringing the biblical book to life. She has personally wrestled with spiritual disappointment and doubt, and knows what it is to search for hope when you’re feeling empty. The five chapters of this short book follow the structure of the Bible’s book of Ruth, and there are creative exercises and questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. Ideal for both small group Bible study discussion and personal enrichment, Coming Back to God When You Feel Empty is a compelling, uplifting, and quick read for anyone who wants to reconnect with God. “Tanya Marlow’s wonderful reflections on the book of Ruth are rooted in life experiences. She shows how the story of Ruth still lives and resonates. ”– Dr Jenni Williams, Tutor in Old Testament, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, and author of God Remembered Women’s Stories in the Old Testament and Why They Matter “Marlow shows how God remains faithful today by sharing her own stories of loss, suffering, and faith alongside the narrative of Ruth.”– Ed Cyzewski, author of Coffeehouse Theology and A Christian Survival Guide “Intensely honest yet wonderfully gentle… I recommend this little book to anyone who has ever doubted God, anyone who has been angry with him, anyone mired in exhaustion and despair – in short, anyone who is a Christian.”– Dr Ros Clarke, author and Discipleship and Training Pastor

Genres: Theology, Christian, Spirituality

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2015

About the author

Tanya Marlow is a writer, speaker and broadcaster on faith and spirituality. She is the author of Those Who Wait: Finding God in disappointment, doubt and delay (Malcolm Down Publishing, 2017), Coming Back to God When You Feel Empty (2015) and a contributor to Soul Bare (IVP, 2016).

Keep in touch - sign up for her newsletter for personal updates, offers and your free book: http://tinyurl.com/tanyamarlowwaits

For a decade she was a Christian minister and subsequently a lecturer in Biblical Theology. Now housebound with severe M.E., she maintains a writing ministry from her bed and campaigns for others with chronic illness and disability.

She can be found in a vicarage in Devon reading fairy tales to her son, or via her popular blog, Thorns and Gold, where she writes on the Bible and finding God in the messy edges of life: www.tanyamarlow.com.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ‘met’ Tanya via the Evolving Faith conference and snatched a copy of this based on the title. I appreciate that with this study you can go as shallow or as deep as you want to allow yourself. Either way, her words will penetrate your heart and offer fresh perspective on a well-known story. She’s a voice I need in my life and I’m looking forward to checking out her other books.

[Lydia Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Coming Back to God..." is split into 5 easy to digest chapters, each focusing on a different section of Ruth and an associated theme. The journey of Naomi and Ruth from empty brokenness to God's provision is an easy parallel to what many of us face in ordinary life, and that's where this book is so applicable. We feel the things they felt, we often deal with our problems the way they dealt with them, but above all God is still the same God who sees, loves and intervenes.

What makes this piece particularly touching is how Marlow intertwines anecdotes from her own life to illustrate the thoughts. Dealing with issues like bitterness or anger in the face of loss, she is never judgemental or condemning. Instead she gently shows how she herself faces these issues, and yet God's patience and provision have enabled her to grow - just like Naomi and Ruth. It's not that she's providing "answers" - for topics like this any answers would be somewhat trite. No; Marlow has clearly faced a lot of hard times, and has just the right tone for people who need understanding as they work through finding God in a dark place.

Each chapter finishes with a set of thought-provoking questions (which make it perfect for a small group discussion) and some creative exercises which put the themes into practice. Interwoven as it is with personal stories and practical applications, it's the kind of Bible study which is accessible for those without an academic mindset.

You can read more of my review at my website: www.wordpress.com

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know of this author from her blog at tanyamarlow.com, though I do not know her personally. Ms. Marlow suffers from a chronic illness, as do I, so I can really relate to what she writes. Because of reading her blog, I knew I had to read this book, and I'm very glad I did! And while this book uses her personal story to illustrate the story of Ruth from the bible, even those who are not chronically ill will be able to get something out of the book. We all have times when we are bitter, or feel lost, or are struggling in some way.

This short book follows the book of Ruth (which is also a short book), and intersperses the author's experiences and struggles with those of Ruth and Naomi. Each chapter of the book corresponds to a chapter of Ruth. At the end of each chapter is a series of short questions to help readers explore the themes of that chapter in their own lives. After reading the book, I think it could be appropriate for bible study groups, as well as individual study. I found the book to be very well-written, clear and concise. It is full of wisdom, and can enrich any Christian who reads it. I learned a lot about the book of Ruth, as well as about myself and my struggles. I highly recommend it!

[Janhmmn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having chronic fatigue mostly makes me angry. I'm frustrated that I can't do everything I want to do. I don't want to join networks and forums or support groups, because I don't want to be in that community. Tanya Marlow doesn't have the luxury of pretending to carry on like nothing happened. She is mostly bed-bound, but she reads and writes and campaigns. This book is part autobiography and part Bible study, but not a Bible study that says you have to strive to do better, one that says ' you are loved, you are known, God has not forgotten.' The story of Ruth is a beautiful one. The widowed daughter of a widow leaves her home and everything she knows to travel with her mother-in-law to a strange land. There she encounters kindness and finds love. She makes a new start for herself in which she becomes a part of God's overall plan for redemption. Ruth is a short book and this is a short book too, but a worthwhile one.

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powerful but it’s brief ( 49 pages) - there are some good points made and as supporting literature on the book of Ruth there’s some value but due to its length it lacks depth to make a real impact, sadly.

I also think it’s overpriced for what it is.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a healing balm for those seeking God in the midst of any type of longstanding suffering. Tanya eschews the "happy Jesus" mentality that is so prevalent in "Christianese" today, and she offers us a rare look at the "Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" via the characters of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz - unassuming, unique individuals who are grafted into the lineage of Jesus. Tanya artfully weaves her own story of redemption and advocacy for others amidst her snapshots of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, and she gently draws readers towards the kaleidoscope. For an instant, we see a glimpse of Redemption's multifaceted blanket of grace, covering all people, especially those who suffer.

Tanya's "creative exercises" at the end of each chapter are especially therapeutic. She guides the reader into tangible prayers, allowing those with the most severe physical limitations to connect with God using their senses.

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night after having a completely ridiculous pity party, I needed a distraction and suddenly remembered I had this book still unread. So, I spent the next few hours reading, crying, and praying and now I'm advertising to everyone I know:

GET THIS BOOK!

You can also go to http://tanyamarlow.com/ and sign up and follow the email prompts for the ebook and read lots of her blog posts while you're at it because they are also fabulous!

It tells a bit of Tanya's story as well as walks you through the book of Ruth in the Bible. Of course there was at least a line or two, per page, that, at times, felt like God's loving embrace and, at other times, felt like God lovingly smacking me upside the back of the head (in those moments, God starts to resemble Jethro Gibbs from NCIS) but it was a night very well spent. The hardest smack was a line that was almost word for word pertaining to my earlier pity party... God has definitely blessed Tanya with the gift of writing.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manages to bring something new out of the familiar story of the book of Ruth. Speaks from her own experience of struggle. I liked the way she looked at the characters and encouraged the reader to emulate their best characteristics. She didn't really answer my questions about God's provision or apparent lack there of but that's a tall order.

[Jessica Kantrowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Tanya's book feels like sitting next to a good friend. She brings such gentle wisdom to the story of Ruth, and shares her own story with astounding patience and love. It's a quick read, but its message will stick with you.