November 26th
Read: Ruth 1:1-22
The in-law relationships are sometimes difficult to handle. When two different sorts of families are brought together through a marriage, there are often clashes in culture and personalities. Ruth and Naomi were from two very different cultures, one which worshipped and served strange idols and one which worshipped and served the living God, Jehovah. In their lives love overruled the differences to create a firm relationship between the two women, which God was able to use in His plan for them and for the ages to come, since one of Ruth’s descendants was the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1-5).
Love also overruled when my elder son brought home the young woman who was to become his bride. She has been a dear daughter to me, loving and considerate in so many ways. Love is always the right answer to relationship problems.
LOVE WALKED IN
Love walked in the door one day
Upon my son’s strong arm.
She smiled at me; I turned away,
Impervious to her charm.
She persevered with thoughtful ways,
With happy, sunny smile,
Till my slow heart found cause for praise
In affection without guile.
My heart’s response to her sweet pull,
It’s answer to pure love,
Was sheer surrender, total, full,
To their bond forged above.
Love has expanded to include
A little family.
Love encompasses their sweet brood
And is surrounding me.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the “in-laws” in my life . . . all of them. Help me to be a dear in-law to them.