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

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 Rachel: 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