HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
Ruth 1:16

Mother-in-law.

Those three words send chills up the spine. Still, many of us long to be a good mother-in-law. I find myself searching for things that define a good mother-in-law. What does she do? What doesn't she do? What really, bottom line, is the goal of a wise mother-in-law?

Naomi must have been a good one. Ruth apparently thought so. The verse we read about Ruth telling her mother-in-law that she didn't want to leave her... that she would go wherever her mother-in-law went, and would live where she lived, and make Naomi's God, Ruth's God... Wow! It flies in the face of typical views of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships. When I read the first chapter in the book of Ruth and search for what it was that Naomi did that made her so likable, so worthy in Ruth's eyes, I can't help but notice the compassion in verses eight and nine. Naomi herself had just lost a husband and two sons. She had to have been overwhelmed with grief. Still, she reached out and looked out for the best interests of her two daughters-in-law. She said, "'Go, return each to her mother's house; the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.' Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice and wept." Naomi didn't expect any favors from her daughter-in-laws. She, instead, looked to their best interests. She was kind to them, she showed true compassion for them, she thanked them for being good to her sons, and she gave advice that in Naomi's eyes, would have benefited her daughters-in-law the most.

So... what does a good mother-in-law do? God has taught me that she learns to look out for what is best for those that marry into the family. What doesn't she do? Expect favors in return. I suppose that advice could be given to any relationship. Friendships, spouses, relatives... It's an unselfish attitude, one that looks for the best for others and denies self.

My new role of mother-in-law is one I approach with apprehension. I'm scared. I want to do a good job. I want to pattern my new role like the one Naomi offers, and seek the best interests of my new family members. God has my best interests in mind, and wants me to do the same for others..

Even if looking out for others means working hard to change the traditional view of a MOTHER-IN-LAW!

Written by
Melody Foster