I had four sweet baby boys at my knees and around my kitchen table. I blinked and now half of them are husbands and fathers. I have become a mother-in-law. This once testosterone-dominated family of mine is now balanced with some much-needed estrogen, thanks to my beloved daughters-in-love.But ... read more
Redefining the Dreaded Mother-in-Law Stereotype
“I’d like prayer for my relationship with my mother-in-law.”I shot a glance at the woman who’d asked and fought the churning in my stomach. Five… four… three…I doubt I made it past three before the first outburst came. I can’t remember any specific comments, but I recall the turmoil I felt ... read more
hope for your marriage when you have a difficult mother-in-law
by Nel Stephenson Did I ruin my life?It’s a demonic thought, really, but one that gripped my mind in the first few years of my marriage.I had a thorn in my flesh—a problem of portions larger and greater than I could have imagined. I had a mother-in-law conflict.The situation I walked ... read more
How to Honor Your Husband’s Mother
There is often a special bond between a mother and a son, so when the “other” woman walks onto the scene, there can be a lot of unforeseen emotions for both of them. The daughter-in-law/wife may feel like she cannot measure up or be as important to her husband and because of that bond between him ... read more
When Your Mother-in-Law Rejects You
It’s been more than 27 years since I received the letter from my future mother-in-law that almost severed all ties of friendship and family before they had a chance to grow. I sat on my bed, looking out the open window at the beauty of the setting sun, listening to singing birds mocking me as the ... read more
How to Live in Peace with Your In-Laws
She came fluttering into my personal space, squealing like she’d made the best thrift store find in a decade.“I’m so glad to meet you! I have the perfect man for you! He’s right over there, see? And very handsome, I must say.“But you know the best part about him?” she added. “His parents are ... read more
She Laughed at the Days to Come
One of my earliest memories of my mother is an image of her doing many things at once. She would rock my baby sister to sleep while giving me instructions (in song) on folding socks. I realize now that she was soothing, singing, rocking, supervising, entertaining and teaching all in that one moment, ... read more
In Which a Story About a Bear Tells a Story About Legacy
Pooh Bear and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. At the mere mention of his name, my heart launches into song…Winnie the Pooh (Pooh!) . . . Winnie the Pooh (Pooh!) . . . Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff…(Yours too?)We were first introduced through Disney ... read more
Writing God’s Presence Into Our Family History
There is clipboard in my desk that is heavy with papers. Pages and pages of copied handwritten notes.The handwriting is my beautiful 91 year old grandmother’s, but the story those pages tell isn’t really hers. It’s the story of my grandpa, how he met Jesus in the barnyard one day and his life ... read more
Speak Forth
Speak to me inside of her. That was the word the Lord whispered into my heart the day I hit my knees in prayer for a friend.I had struggled in our relationship. We were in a Bible study together and it seemed that no matter how I tried to encourage her in her walk with the Lord, my words were ... read more
