“I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport.”
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Employee: “Can I have a day off next week to visit my mother-in-law?”
Boss: “Certainly not.”
Employee: “Thank you so much! I knew you would be understanding.”
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My mother-in-law came for a visit, so I asked her: “How long do you plan to stay?” “Just until I start getting on your nerves”, she replied. “Oh, so you won’t even stay for coffee?”
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A husband and wife had a fight.
Wife called her mom: “He fought with me again, I am coming to stay with you.”
Mom: “No dear, he must pay for his mistake. I am coming to stay with you!”
Mother-in-law jokes have been a source of humor for everyone – except mothers-in-law – for a very long time. While this is true, it might surprise you that today is National Mother-In-Law Day, a day established 90 years ago in 1934 by Gene Howe, the editor of a newspaper in Amarillo, Texas. Evidently, he had a wonderful mother-in-law and wanted to honor her in a Mother’s Day fashion.
Mothers-in-law have taken a bad rap through the years, much of it possibly deserved. Now, don’t go hating on me for that! I’m sure that many of the stories have been embellished through the years but it seems that mothers-in-law have long had issues with the men or women their children married. This leads to a lot of unsolicited opinions and interference that isn’t welcomed by the husband and wife.
Moms, you know this is true. It’s often hard to let go! Nobody is good enough to marry your pride and joy! Your daughter-in-law will struggle to measure up to the care and love you gave your son. And you’re son-in-law? Well, she could have done better rather than settling.
Now, settle down, ladies! I know that this isn’t true of all and I’m sure that every lady reading this is a wonderful, blessed example of what a mother-in-law should be. I am privileged to honor you today! I know that great mothers-in-law exist because I had one.
Her name was Sherry. She’s been home with the Lord now since February 4, 2009. She held the title for 22 years, 1 month, and 17 days. And she welcomed me into the family over a year earlier when I met her for the first time.
I can testify in a court of law with one hand raised and the other on the Bible, she never interfered. She never pushed or bullied her opinion. Seldom did she even offer her opinion and when she did, it was so subtle that you probably wouldn’t detect it as an opinion. Never did she project that her daughter could have done better – of course, we can understand that, right? (smile, haha!) She never critiqued or criticized our parenting decisions. I cannot remember a time when she said, “Well, you ought to do …” or “You should have done…”
So, I have no jokes or disparaging remarks to make about mothers-in-law.
Passages of Scripture about the mother-in-law are limited. One of the most familiar ones is Naomi, mother-in-law to Ruth and Orpah and not one of the most pleasant women to be around at first. However, in the end, the Lord turned her bitter heart around and she became a blessing to Ruth.
Ruth 4:14-17 says, “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. (15) And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. (16) And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. (17) And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
Peter’s mother-in-law got sick with a great fever. The Lord “arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. (39) And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.” (Luke 4:38-39) What’s that saying about not being able to keep a good woman down?
The only legitimate division with a mother-in-law should be a God division. In Luke 12:51-53, Jesus said, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (52) For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. (53) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” When it comes down to a decision between the Lord and others, the Lord must always be first which could cause great divisions with other people.
Today, if your mother-in-law is still alive, show her the love of Christ, whether she is a Sherry or something else! Love her Biblically as you should. And, if you are a mother-in-law, love that son or daughter-in-law as you should.
John wrote to the “elect lady.” Perhaps she was someone’s mother-in-law. Let these words direct you today. “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.” (2 John 1:5)
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