When I first met her
Oh the untold joy of having a godly mother in law! When I first met my husband, I observed how attentive, loving and kind he was towards his mother. She was very eager to talk to me about the things of the Lord and we hit it off beautifully right away. She told me that she was very pleased to have her son date me and that he needed someone in his life like me.
I knew that my husband would make a fantastic husband because of the way he treats his precious Mom, and, I knew that she would be a wonderful mother in law to me by the way she loved talking about spiritual matters with me. As the professionals say:”You can always tell the way a man will treat his wife by the way he treats his Mother.” This is so true!
The role reversal
My own biological mother was such a beautiful, wise person. Yet she had such childlike innocence! Often times I felt like I was the mother and she was the daughter. I miss and cherish her ever so much! When I met my husband my Mom was in the hospital with lung cancer. She died only a few weeks after we got married.
Words of wisdom
My brand new mother in law had words of wisdom that I will always cherish. She told me that though my mom is no longer on earth, she is in heaven with Jesus and I will see her again someday. My new mother in law insisted that I call her mom right away and I felt honored to do so. Every time my husband and I visited her, I came away with such warm, wonderful feelings of being loved and accepted.
Alzheimer’s took her away
My sweet mother in law is now in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s yet she still has that all encompassing sweet peacefulness emanating from her heart and soul. She is always ready for hugs and kisses when my husband and I visit, and, watching him treat her so lovingly stirs my heart and soul.
The staff at the nursing home tells us that she is a joy to have around! Everyone loves her!!! As far as I am concerned her sweet loving spirit is a testimony to the indwelling spirit of Christ she possesses! Even though most of the time her mind seems to be lost in time, there is still this sweet spirit and love that can be felt and seen in her.
My nursing home career
Through the years that I worked as an Activity Assistant at various nursing facilities I have noticed one thing for sure. The residents who have faith in Christ are able to cope with their environment far better than those without any faith. Countless times I have been encouraged and lifted up by those precious nursing home residents who know that their real home is with Jesus in heaven! As Philippians 4 verse 13 says! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
God is using her
God did not choose to heal her of this dreaded disease but he is still using her in ways that we cannot even imagine! Someday when we meet Him face to face we will learn all the mysteries of this life that we now cannot grasp!