Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: In-Law(s) (05/08/08)
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TITLE: How to Deal With the Enemy-in-Law | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karye Willard
05/14/08 -
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“Don't forget about having dinner with Dad and Sherry tonight.” Joanna’s husband Tom reminded her. She winced. Tom laughed, “Yeah, tell me about it.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek, “See you tonight!” And with that he left for the office.
Joanna had always liked her father-in-law Bill. He was a kind man, an elder at the church they attended, and a man who deeply loved his family, including his only granddaughter Julia. When Bill lost his first wife, Beatrice, in a car accident three years ago, he grieved her loss for about four months before he was engaged to Sherry. Joanna suspected that Bill didn't have the same feelings for Sherry as he had had for Beatrice, he just didn't like being single.
Conversely, Joanna did not like her new mother-in-law Sherry. She was a malicious gossip and loved to go on and on about other people's seeming misfortunes. Joanna hated listening to her talk because there was not an ounce of Truth (see John 14:6) in what she had to say. Unfortunately, Julia was hearing all this, too, which really frustrated her mother even more. The words of Jesus Christ came flooding to her mind and she quickly turned in her Bible to find the passage. In this Matthew 10:34-39 (NIV) He said, ‘"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’
Joanna reflected over what she had just read and then began to pray, “Lord, please help me become better at taking my cross and following You. So many times, I would rather complain about my cross -- not pick it up and follow. Having a mother-in-law like Sherry is part of my cross, as is having Julia listening to her deceit. Show me the way to follow You through this, I want to follow.”
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Enjoyed this slice of life.