The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: In-Law(s) (05/08/08)
“Oh, Mama, don’t cry. You’ll make me cry.”

I waited and prayed for this day, but now I don’t know if I’m ready for my little girl to grow up and get married. Just look at the groom up there, looking so sharp in his tuxedo. He’s so handsome. It’s no wonder Linda fell in love with him. (gasp) She’s beautiful! When did she grow up into such a beautiful woman? It seems like yesterday she was jumping rope and playing with dolls. (sniff) Oh, I can’t cry…

“Do you, Donald, take Linda to be your wedded wife?”

Wedded wife?... Is my baby girl ready to be a wedded wife? (sniff) Have I her taught her enough? Can she cook more than scrambled eggs or microwave popcorn? How can she keep a clean house when I had to beg her to clean her room? Will she trust her husband like she did her father? Does she know … I’m sure she’ll learn, just as I did.

“Do you promise to love her for better and for worse, in sickness and in health…”

This handsome young man who stares at her with a twinkle in his eye, what do we really know about him? He seems to be steady and responsible and a hard worker, but does he know what to do if Linda gets in one of her grumpy moods? Does he know that chocolate and a shopping trip will cheer her up? Will he be firm in his convictions? Will he lead his family in the ways of the Lord?

“You may kiss the bride.”

Ahhh… yes, they are so happy together. (sniff) They’ll be good parents. I can just imagine their children with blond hair and blue eyes. Children? Do they know how hard it is to raise kids? Will they teach them to obey and to be kind and to enjoy life? Does Donald like camping or playing ball? Will Linda bake cookies with them and read to them every night? Grandchildren? Oh, I can’t wait for grandchildren!

“It was a beautiful wedding. You haven’t lost a daughter, you’ve gained another son.”

Another son? Yes, I suppose he’s another son, but I didn’t know him when he was little tyke. I didn’t teach him to tie his shoes or ride a bike. I didn’t pull his wiggly tooth or put a bandaid on his skinned knee. I didn’t punish him when he told a lie or teased his sister. I didn’t take him to Sunday school or hear him pray. He doesn’t feel like a son…not yet anyway.

“Hi, Mom. May I call you that? Thanks for everything. It’s been great.”

Mom? I want to be a good mother-in-law…not one of those dreaded bossy women, insisting on being a part of every decision, inspecting the refrigerator, criticizing their clothes, giving advice on everything whether it’s wanted or not. I don’t want him to run away when I come to visit or make jokes about me behind my back. I don’t want to be a mother-in-law like that.

“You’re quiet tonight, Dear. I’m glad God brought Donald into Linda’s life, aren’t you?”

Lord, I’ve never been a mother-in-law before. I don’t know how to do this. You will have to show me how. Keep me quiet when I feel like speaking my mind. Give me the right words to say when they ask for advice. Don’t let my daughter have to choose between obeying me and the husband that you gave her. Let me learn to trust him to be a good husband and father. Thank you for the years I had with my little girl. (sniff) Bless them as they start their new life together. In Your Name, Amen.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 2088 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Verna Cole Mitchell 
05/15/08
I really enjoyed sharing the heart of the bride's mother, which you presented so well. I believe I'd had every single one of them myself. Excellent writing.
Peter Stone
05/16/08
The mother's reflections were very thorough, and her conclusions sound. Good advise for many in-laws, I think.
Joanne Sher 
05/16/08
LOVE the honesty of this - and the flashbacks that are woven in so skillfully. Can't relate yet, but I imagine I will sooner than I can imagine ;)
Lyn Churchyard
05/18/08
A delightful look at a mother in law's thoughts as her daughter marries.
Those of us who have been through it will understand. Lovely flow through the whole story.
LaNaye Perkins
05/18/08
I love how accurately the thoughts of this MIL echoed my own thoughts as my sons married. Well done!
Jan Ackerson
05/18/08
Hey! No fair reading my mind--twice!

Very well done, and I really like the back-and-forth structure.
Betty Castleberry
05/18/08
This is all so true. Mothers of brides really do think these things. Very realistic and well done.
Laury Hubrich 
05/18/08
Oh, this is so touching. Wow! Love this.
Laury
Joy Faire Stewart
05/18/08
I loved feeling and knowing the mother's thoughts. Very creative.
LauraLee Shaw
05/18/08
Priceless. Masterfully written and moving beyond words.
Sally Hanan
05/18/08
I think you nailed it here as far as drawing in every mother-in-law.
Mariane Holbrook
05/19/08
I've never had the pleasure of being mother of the bride but I loved this piece! It's so sensitively written. Kudos!
Dave Wagner
05/19/08
Written as though you have experience in such things! I trust this was a bit auto-biographical? :) I liked the structure of the piece. Most of all, the way the piece felt real, and not forced in any way.

Good job. Thanks for posting.
Debbie Wistrom
05/20/08
The inner dialog is great, I can see her wringing her hankie.

Joshua Janoski
05/20/08
The woman's voice was spot on, and I loved her prayer to the Lord. Even though I am not a parent, I can imagine that many parents have the same thoughts and questions as this mother did, when marrying off their children. Great job with this one! :)
Dianne Janak
05/21/08
oooh I did love this. I will be a mom of the bride for the third and last time... at the end of the summer and ALL those feelings and thoughts are so real... genuine.. normal.. human... LOVED IT... you put us into words and normalized the anxiety and prayer to be NOT like the stereotype... THANKS .. this was a gift.
Sara Harricharan
05/21/08
What a precious glimpse here! I loved the italics of her inner thoughts, and how they were random enough to be realistic-the changing from wondering about kids, to being excited for grandchildren and all. This was simply wonderful! ^_^
Karen Wilber
05/21/08
Wonderful...if she keeps praying like this she will be a great mother-in-law.
Beckie Stewart
05/22/08
This was very sweet and tender. Having none married, I still imagine what that is going to be like. Thanks for this glimpse.