Daily Devotional, Sept 19, 2023 Two moms
"Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 1:16
One of the interesting and unique gifts of a marriage is getting yourself a second mom. A mom that did not bear and raise you, but a mom who will see you through your own motherhood and the rest of your adult life.
While some see having a mother-in-law as a blessing, others see it as a cross. We have all heard about horror Mother-In-Law stories, and they are usually stereotyped as a meddler who would rival any wicked step mother of a fairy tale. Any Korean novela or local drama can attest to this too.
But unlike those traumatic stories, the Bible paints a picture of a wonderful MIL-DIL relationship between Naomi and Ruth. Naomi is a widow who decided to let go of her two daughters-in-law so that they could pursue a better life, and would not be tied to her and her lonely existence. One of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, clung to her and remained to be her next of kin. “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know” (Ruth 2:11)
The story goes on to show that Naomi acted like a mother to Ruth, helping her have another family of her own. And when Ruth did have a new husband and son, she did not forget about her loving mom-in-law. The people in their town called Naomi blessed for having Ruth in her life “The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth” (Ruth 4:14-15).
In real life though, not all MIL-DIL relationships are as ideal. But let us take heart in the knowledge that it is our Heavenly Father that chose that lady to become our Mom-In-Law. And if ever our relationship with her seems to be a cross to carry, then we should hold on to the truth that the Lord is so powerful he can transform a curse into a blessing (Nehemiah 13:2).
It all begins with us. Reaching out first and taking the road to humility will never fail us, even if we are negotiating a steep path towards a good relationship with our MILs. After all, she is a mom and an elder that God commands us to respect. In the First Letter of St. Peter, he reminded younger people to show humility and respect to elders: “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
We should also remember that in a few years’ time, with God’s will, we will also be an MIL ourselves. So let us learn from our existing relationship, pick up what’s good, and improve what needs to be worked on so that when our time comes, we can be blessed with a loyal daughter in law much like Ruth.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on the Book of Ruth (Just four short chapters) to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How is your existing relationship with your MIL? Are there areas of improvement?
Conversation with the Lord: Almighty Father, thank you for blessing me with two mothers. Empower me to strengthen my relationship with my Mother In Law so that I could honor her more, like you commanded me. Amen.
