Alone, really alone. Because she had lost it all - husband, sons. Naomi, the once-faithful wife of a man who brought her to the land of Moab, a strange land. A bad land - a heathen land. A land she hated. A people who didn't accept her - heathens, all. Naomi, now standing by the freshly-dug graves, numbly staring in disbelief at the three mounds that hold her family, her life. As she turns her tear-streaked face toward Heaven and the God that she has loved all these years, from a bitter and pain-filled heart, she cries out: (Note: Mara means "bitter", because of the bitter waters at Mara.) Mara, Mara, they call to me But Naomi is who I should be. Mara, Mara – no longer call me sweet. No pleasure remains at my feet. Mara, Mara – by God’s own hand I am Mara in this strange land. Mara – rises from the ground Echoing its sad, ugly sound Mara – O, indeed, I am she But Naomi is who I long to be Mara, Mara – how long must I be? Return Naomi, O, Lord, unto me Bitter and bereft in Moab lay, From Moab, Mara must now turn away Mara is led by God’s own hand. Out of Moab into her own land For in the land of Judah Naomi is complete Where once she was bitter She will now be sweet. Mara, Mara, call me no more For now Naomi, God will restore. Scripture Reference: Ruth 1. Whatever your circumstances, don't let bitterness change your name. Give it to God. He will replace it with joy. . . .Weeping may endure but for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psa 30:5