Catching Flies

This post is not meant to be disrespectful in any way but rather honest and from my heart.  Those of you who know the family that I married into will completely understand where I am coming from.

Today is Thanksgiving with Joe's side of the family.  I am not excited about going.  I have never been a favorite of my Mother-in-law.  In fact I am pretty sure I am as far away from being a favorite as one can possibly get.  I learned quickly upon joining this family that I had to stand up for myself and fight back or I would get trampled and my marriage would suffer.  So I did what I had to do.  I fought meanness with meanness and spite with spite.  I showed her just how much vinegar I had in me and today my marriage is fine, but my relationship with my Mother-in-law is not.

The Lord has been dealing with me on this issue for quite a while now and I have been trying to ignore that pricking of my conscience.  The pricking is starting to bleed and I can no longer ignore it.  My children are beginning to suffer because of my poor relationship with their Mama and I am the one who needs to step up and change things.

So starting today, there will be no more vinegar from me.  I am sure tears will fall before the day is over and my feelings will be trampled on, but with God's help I can do this.

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.  Proverbs 16:24

Please pray for me today and as the days continue.  Keep me accountable for the words that I say to and about my Mother-in-law.  I have never liked the taste of honey, but I have a feeling it is going to be on my lips quite often in the future. I don't think we will ever get to the relationship of Ruth and Naomi, but developing a love for the woman who gave me my husband is something I know I can accomplish.