Written by Olabisi David
written for REGEN
During a church meeting on Friday midnight, we were discussing the Bible and we diverted into the issue of Ruth and how she followed her mother-in-law all the way back to her hometown! And this really got me thinking!!!I wasn’t even thinking about Ruth’s action, it was more than that for me. I was thinking about Naomi.
She had just two daughters in-law and both were willing to follow her. It took a lot of persuasion and tears for Orpah to turn back.What could Naomi have done that had her two daughters in-law wanting to follow her?
They were ready to leave their own familiesReady to leave their friends and loved ones Ready to leave all they had acquired in that land, their career or future, leaving certainty for uncertainty….. without being asked to Naomi had reasons to resent these ladies due to the fact that the Jewish law forbids the Jews from marrying other nationalities.
Just imagine in today’s scenerio where even marrying someone from another tribe be raising dust….But she showed them so much Kindness. Even after their husbands who brought them into the family had died, they stayed on. They wanted to be with her still… What a Challenge!!!
Are you surprised Ruth was ready to serve Naomi’s God? She won her over by her compassion and kindness.I know many teachers focus on helping us become good daughters in-law but today, can we learn from Naomi’s example? Can we choose to accept our sons and daughters in-law?
Can we move beyond acceptance to actually showering them with unconditional love? Can we look beyond picking faults in all they do and treat them like our own flesh and blood? Showing them love even when they donβt deserve it until they confidently say they want your God to be their God.
Here is the Naomi Challenge dear friend! What’s your in-law story?How has your mother-in-law impacted you? Please share with me in the comments or anonymous.
Be it good or bad, I will repost so others can learn. Let’s learn what to do and what not to do to be great in-laws
To be continued….
Olabisi David
Photo Credit : Instagram
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