Applying unchanging truth in a changing world

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.  Matthew 8:14-15

Do you see your mother-in-law with compassion, or do you see her as competition? Your mother-in-law is meant to compliment your marriage, not compete with it. Peter did a smart thing as a son-in-law: he invited Jesus into his home and into their relationship. As a result, Jesus healed his mother-in-law so she was free to serve Him and others.

It is out of an attitude of compassion that you are able to illustrate to your mother-in-law the love of Jesus. If you resist her interest in your family, reject her suggestions, or deny her access to your home, you dishonor her in the process. We all have our quirks, but the Lord works these out with levity, love, and long-suffering. Compassion compensates.

As the leader of your home, make sure you are reaching out to your mother-in-law on a regular basis. Perhaps you invite her over for her grandchildren’s birthdays, school events, or sporting activities. How are you intentionally engaging your in-laws so they are able to do life with your little ones? It is out of a multi-generational community that your offspring gain perspective from their grandparents. Honor them as models for your children, who one day will honor their own in-laws. Ruth lived this out in uncomfortable circumstances.

“Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before’” (Ruth 2:11).

You may be concerned that your mother-in-law does not know the Lord. This is a reasonable fear. But it’s also an opportunity for you to be a righteous representative of your Savior. When she sees Jesus in your attitude and actions, she will be drawn by the Holy Spirit to know Him as you know Him. A fractured family is an opportunity for faith to flourish.

Help facilitate faith and healing in your family dynamic by keeping Christ at the center. Ask how you can serve your mother-in-law in ways she wants to be served. Do you invite her on family outings, extended trips, or over the weekend to stay with your children? Pray your mother-in-law becomes like your mother, and you like her child.

“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too” (Romans 16:13).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grow my heart of love to love insecure and hurting family members, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Application: How can I best show compassion to my mother-in-law with my attitude and actions?

Related Readings: Ruth 3:16; Micah 7:6; Luke 12:53; Ephesians 5:31
对母亲的怜悯

当耶稣进入彼得家中时，他看到彼得的岳母因发烧躺在床上。他摸了摸她的手，发烧离开了她，她站起来，开始等他。马太福音8：14-15

你是否以慈悲的态度看待你的岳母，(婆婆）还是你看到她是竞争对手？你的岳母（婆婆）是为了赞美你的婚姻，而不是与它竞争。彼得作为一个女婿做了一件聪明的事情：他邀请耶稣进入他的家，进入他们的关系。结果，耶稣治愈了他的婆婆，所以她可以自由地为他和其他人服务。

这是出于同情的态度，你可以向你的岳母 （婆婆）说明对耶稣的爱。如果你拒绝她对你的家庭的兴趣，拒绝她的建议，或拒绝她进入你的家，你在这个过程中羞辱她。我们都有我们的怪癖，但是主用轻松，爱和长久的苦难来解决这些问题。慈悲补偿。

作为你家的领导，确保你定期与你的婆婆 （岳母 ）接触。也许你邀请她过去，因为她的孙辈的生日，学校活动或体育活动。你如何故意邀请你的公婆，以便他们能够和你的小孩一起生活？你的后代从他们的祖父母身上获得了观点，这是多代人社区中的一员。将它们作为你孩子的典范，有一天会尊重自己的公婆。露丝在不舒服的情况下生活。

“波阿斯回答说，”我已被告知所有关于你丈夫去世后你为婆婆所做的事情 – 你是如何离开你的父母，你的家园，并与你没有的人生活在一起在’之前知道’“（路得记2:11）。

你可能担心你的婆婆不认识主。这是一个合理的恐惧。但这也是你成为救主的正义代表的机会。当她看到耶稣的态度和行为时，她会被圣灵吸引认识祂，就像你认识祂一样。一个破碎的家庭是信仰蓬勃发展的机会。

通过保持基督为中心来帮助促进信仰和医治你的家庭。问问你如何以她想要的方式为你的婆婆 （ 岳母 ）服务。你是否邀请她参加家庭郊游，长途旅行或周末与孩子住在一起？祈求你的婆婆变得像你的母亲，你喜欢她的孩子。

“挑选耶和华的鲁弗斯和他的母亲，他也是我的母亲”（罗马书16:13）。

祷告：天父，以耶稣的名义，阿们，培养我的爱之心，去爱不安全和伤害家人。

应用：如何以我的态度和行为最大程度地表达我对婆婆的同情？

相关阅读：路得记3:16;弥迦书7：6;路加福音12:53;以弗所书5:31