Gleaning Like Ruth — My Journey to the Seat of Expectation
Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve lived in a quiet place like in a box waiting to be given. It hasn’t come with flashing lights or loud announcements, but through the gentle, intentional gathering of wisdom—gleaning in the fields like Ruth. As she faithfully labored behind the reapers, God instructed me to stay in place, to prepare, and to gather what He left for me on purpose.
I’m preparing for marriage—not just a wedding, but covenant. And like Ruth, I’ve learned that the field is where God matures you for Boaz, not because of him. I am waiting for my kinsman redeemer, but I’m not waiting aimlessly. I’m waiting while working. Watching. Listening. Healing. Growing.
One of the greatest gifts during this season has been the voices God used to deposit truth in me. I’m grateful for Pastor John Hannah, Pastor Darius Daniels, Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré, Apostle Matthew Stevenson III, and Pastor Keion Henderson. These shepherds have watered my spirit and clarified my preparation.
From Pastor Darius Daniels, I learned that “you decrease self-sabotage by increasing self-awareness.” That sentence alone rerouted so many of my decisions. I stayed focused on every prophetic promise. I drowned all my fears. I showed up with unconditional love. I was naked and not ashamed. I waited patiently to be chosen. He also reminded me that “truth without love is mean, love without truth is meaningless, but truth in love is medicine.” Medicine doesn’t always taste good, but it heals—and I’ve taken every dose that friendship, sermons, and silence have given me.
In his message We’ve Got Work To Do, Pastor Darius made it plain: “The devil doesn’t care if you find a person—he just doesn’t want you to find your person.” That shook me. I stopped entertaining options that diluted my purpose. I realized that compatibility isn’t confirmation.
Apostle Matthew Stevenson III challenged my emotions when he said, “The worst place to be found is in your feelings when your future comes knocking at your door.” That was a full stop for me. I began allowing the Spirit, not my feelings, to govern my decisions. Feelings fade. Futures don’t.
His teaching on “The Two” helped me understand that real covenant holds you accountable to the best version of you. Not your comfort zone, not your survival mode—the healed, whole, called you. That’s who I’m preparing to present.
Pastor Keion Henderson’s message Built to Last reminded me that “In this next season of your life, God is calling you to cure what they used to call you.” I’m not who I was. I’ve grown into the kind of woman who can love, lead, and receive. He also emphasized “attention to the details.” Marriage isn’t just chemistry, it’s construction. Details matter.
From Pastor John Hannah, I gleaned a bold truth in The Seat of Expectation: “You didn’t choose that seat—God chose it for you.” He knew I could handle the pruning and the preparation. I now expect what God promised—not from entitlement, but from intimacy. He’s a Father who keeps His word.
Sarah Jakes Roberts and Touré Roberts taught me to claim my inheritance. This is not my story—it’s God’s. He wrote it. I’m just agreeing with the script. As Sarah said: “Stop acting like your destiny is optional. Your destiny is non-negotiable.” And I now walk like it.
This season has taught me that waiting is not wasting. Preparation is not punishment. I’m not desperate—I’m discerning. I’m not stuck—I’m being strategically placed. And like Ruth, I’m not gleaning forever. The Redeemer is on His way. And I’ll be ready. God will remember me like he remembered Ruth with no promise for her future in sight but she sowed.
Takeaway:
Every sermon, every tear, every step has been part of God’s choreography. I didn’t find crumbs in the field—I found covenant instructions. I am becoming the woman that my person will pray for. Until he comes, I will keep gleaning… with expectation.