A Son-in-Law’s Thoughtfulness
Joining us for our rainy day lunch with friends this past Sunday were a couple Ray and I had met only a little while earlier before Sunday School. I’ll call them Janet and Wally. During lunch we got to know each other the way new acquaintances usually do. We told stories about our lives.
Janet spoke lovingly about her mother. She and Wally had moved several times during their lives together. For a while, they had lived in Texas. Janet told about how difficult it had been to say goodbye to her mother at the end of their trips back to Tennessee to visit her and Janet’s dad. She told about the wonderful blessing of being able to move back to Tennessee nine months before her mother died and her opportunity to see her mother every day during those nine months. She also spoke lovingly about the ten years after that they had to enjoy her father.
Janet told those of us at the table about how sweet Wally had been to her mother. During the years they had lived in Texas, Wally made their partings easier by always sending Janet’s mother a dozen roses when they left.
What a sweet act of kindness this son-in-law did time and again for his mother-in-law. Being kind to in-laws is a wonderful way for a wife to show love to her husband and a husband to show love to his wife. Way to go, Wally.
So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,
whoever has a complaint against anyone;
just as the Lord forgave you,
so must you do also.
In addition to all these things put on love,
which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:12-14
My dear sweet uncle passed away at the age of 92, eleven days ago. He was the best uncle you could ever ask for. He was married to my aunt for 72 years. My other aunt was just telling me that when my grandfather died in 1973, Uncle Gene would come with my aunt to visit my Grandma on Sundays. He always brought his toolbox and said, “Grandma, what can I fix for you today?” I had never heard that story before but it warmed my heart and didn’t surprise me.
I read this post to my twin 20 year old sons for some “tuck away wisdom”.
Have a great weekend.
What a beautiful story, Wanda. I love it.