"If there’s a little extra money in the gift budget for parents, I’ll put it toward my folks. After all, they are more generous than my husband’s parents.”
“I usually send the kids' drawings to my folks because they're more interested in our kids than my husband's parents are."
“If there’s a few extra days of vacation, we’ll spend it with my folks. After all they visit us more often.”
Ever thought or done any of these type of things? I have. They seemed right at the time. But after the Lord started working on my heart in this area, I realized that most people respond to the way they are treated.
Although I was convinced I was merely responding to my in-laws when I treated them "second-hand," the Lord showed me two important facts:
2. It didn’t matter how they responded. God commands my husband and me to honor my in-laws.
After treating my in-laws like second-hand parents for a number of years, I had to win them back. When I started to treat them as they deserved, they didn’t respond immediately because I hadn't built their trust. I could have used that as another excuse to quit trying, but God just kept reminding me to honor them. And the results were wonderful!
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3
For more insights:
Part 6: What Ruth & Naomi Teach Us
Part 7: Six Things I Did Wrong
Besides Marriage posts, Gail writes a one minute devotion each weekday.
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I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. You can find out where to purchase it and download 2 free Bible studies with purchase HERE.
Thank you for this inspiration.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post and oh so very true! Thanks for this post! This looks like a GREAT and MUCH-NEEDED series!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for linking up with Marriage Monday at Yes They're All Ours!
wow thanks! great insight. i'm feeling a little convicted and that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. Food for thought.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this post, I felt as though you have silently observed me at times. Thank you for such clarity and convicting thought. I am still trying to overcome some deep-seated resentments in this area. They are not unfounded, but the responsibility to live above them still sits squarely on my shoulders.
ReplyDeleteThanks for much for sharing an important message:) Thank you for your support of Freedom Fridays! Have a great day:)
ReplyDeleteMy dads parents never truly excepted my mom, they say they did but even as kids we knew better. We knew they loved us, but just figured mom wasn't good enough for them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started dating Jason, I didn't really expect to be welcomed into the family the way I was. I love his family, and when a family member passed away a year after we were married, I cried as hard as they did, and I still miss him. Having in-laws who except you without question, is probably one of the greatest blessings that has come from marrying Jason.
Beautiful, truth-filled words! I'm grateful for my in-laws for many reasons and even though things haven't always been perfect, they raised my amazing husband and they adore my children and that, in addition to God's commandment, is reason enough to show them respect even when we don't always see eye to eye. Thank you for sharing your wisdom in this area with us at Inspiration Friday!
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Ouch! but the truth! You are so right on that most people respond to the way they are treated.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNedra