Birds of the same feather
Reading: Ruth 2:17-23
“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples,
if you love one another” (Jn 13:34,35)
Even in her parental home a young girl clashes with her mother, father, brothers and sisters. How much more in a new home! Cultures dash, habits flash, languages clash and everything mashes. Unless one goes out of the way to develop good relationship, it becomes next to impossible to relate to the in-laws in a friendly way, leave alone living with them. Everybody involved should take an effort.
Naomi not only addressed Ruth as her daughter, but Orpah too (Ruth 1:11,12). We must treat the daughter-in-law as the daughter, mother-in-law as the mother, father-in-law as the father, sister-inlaw as the sister, brother-in-law as the brother and grandmotherin-law as the grandmother. Let the rope long. If a word hurts you, tell yourself that may be it is their way of saying things. If the cooking is not good, think, “She will learn in course of time.” This needs lot of tolerance without which good relationship will not be possible.
Giving gifts to in-laws goes a long way in cementing relationships, especially during festival times and visits. Hospitality is another binding factor. Do to them what you will do when your relatives come. In fact you must do a little extra for in-laws because relatives can understand us. Avoid criticism, especially about their children, clothes or childrearing. Each of us has her own way of doing things. Gentle suggestion can be made instead of harsh criticism. In spite of our best efforts there will be misunderstanding. If you see a fallen face, don’t wait. Find out what went wrong and apologize and rebuild the relationship. Keep on doing good for evil till their hearts melt.
One important truth we learn from Naomi is to look for the good of the other person. She blessed them saying, “May the Lord show you kindness,” and sought their good, saying, “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth 1:8,9; 3:1). Then we can build a strong extended family (3:1). People reported to Boaz all that Ruth did to her mother-in-law. She brought home food for her mother-in-law (2:11,18). All it requires is to be humane. Give abundant doses of love and go out of the way to forgive. Then we will not lose our family but gain another family!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Birds of the same feather
Reading: Ruth 2:17-23
“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples,
if you love one another” (Jn 13:34,35)
Even in her parental home a young girl clashes with her mother, father, brothers and sisters. How much more in a new home! Cultures dash, habits flash, languages clash and everything mashes. Unless one goes out of the way to develop good relationship, it becomes next to impossible to relate to the in-laws in a friendly way, leave alone living with them. Everybody involved should take an effort.
Naomi not only addressed Ruth as her daughter, but Orpah too (Ruth 1:11,12). We must treat the daughter-in-law as the daughter, mother-in-law as the mother, father-in-law as the father, sister-inlaw as the sister, brother-in-law as the brother and grandmotherin-law as the grandmother. Let the rope long. If a word hurts you, tell yourself that may be it is their way of saying things. If the cooking is not good, think, “She will learn in course of time.” This needs lot of tolerance without which good relationship will not be possible.
Giving gifts to in-laws goes a long way in cementing relationships, especially during festival times and visits. Hospitality is another binding factor. Do to them what you will do when your relatives come. In fact you must do a little extra for in-laws because relatives can understand us. Avoid criticism, especially about their children, clothes or childrearing. Each of us has her own way of doing things. Gentle suggestion can be made instead of harsh criticism. In spite of our best efforts there will be misunderstanding. If you see a fallen face, don’t wait. Find out what went wrong and apologize and rebuild the relationship. Keep on doing good for evil till their hearts melt.
One important truth we learn from Naomi is to look for the good of the other person. She blessed them saying, “May the Lord show you kindness,” and sought their good, saying, “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth 1:8,9; 3:1). Then we can build a strong extended family (3:1). People reported to Boaz all that Ruth did to her mother-in-law. She brought home food for her mother-in-law (2:11,18). All it requires is to be humane. Give abundant doses of love and go out of the way to forgive. Then we will not lose our family but gain another family!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
