Chris at Come to the Table wrote about Love and Acceptance this week. It was such a great post, and it really made me think. Oh, how I want to be characterized by those words. I want people to look forward to being around me because they know they are loved and accepted. There are so many people I just love so much I wonder if there is any way they can know how much I love them. Oh, how I hope that love comes through in my words and actions.
But one person came into my mind when I read Chris's post: my mother-in-law (MIL), Nancy. From the moment I started dating her oldest son 20 (::gasp::) years ago, I felt her acceptance. We started dating in November, and in December she made me a stocking to hang with the others. With six kids, boyfriends, girlfriends (now spouses), and friend-friends she always makes each one of us feel like we're her favorite. (I just love it! I'm her favorite!) Years ago when the kids were little she came over and my house was an absolute wreck. She walked in, took one look around at the debris and her face lit up. She exclaimed, "Good for you! You've been spending time with those babies!" Oh how I needed someone to acknowledge that that day (and put a positive spin on how my house looked!) Every year on my birthday she calls my mom and thanks her for giving birth to me. Isn't that cool?
I'm thinking of her this morning because last night she came over. My house was a mess. It's been a busy week, laundry is all over, and with painting, stuff isn't where it usually "goes." I loved it because... it just didn't matter. I felt like I could have her come right over and plunk down right in the midst of it, which she did. Then she told me how beautiful our house is. She told me how great my food was. She acted like it's the most beautiful paint color she's ever seen. She thinks her son is the best painter in the world. She loved on all of us and enjoyed s'mores and family Bingo night with us (and won a prize!)
I wanted to write this this morning because she told me yesterday that every day she gets up and reads my blog first thing. (She told me as she came in the door last night I was the Best Blogger In The World! "If you don't write a book someday, it'll be a shame..." :) So I wanted to write this first thing. Nancy, this is for you and for all of bloggy-ville to read because I want to let you know how your love and acceptance have touched me for the last 20 years. You're the kind of person I want to be. I love you!
13 comments:
Very sweet! I've been blessed with a great mother-in-law too! I am so thankful for her!
1. I could not agree with her more, I think you are the greatest also.
2. You are blessed!!!
How precious! That is wonderful. My MIL and I aren't as close as I would like...
Cyndi,
tears tears tears just streaming down my face. Two things
1) I read your most beautiful and encouraging comment on my blog..thank you for sharing. The beauty of your own heart shines through in your writing and oh how God will use this. Thank you for again reminding me of what God can and will do in the life of his daughters.
2) This most beautiful tribute to your own MIL. I so desperately want to be like her too. She truly epitomizes the love and acceptance I was trying to describe. Thank you for sharing this with us and may the Lord bless Nancy for being such a beautiful example of a Godly woman.
Blessings,
Chris
What a blessing to have someone like that in your life. It is truly a gift to make others feel so unconditionally loved.
You have done a beautiful tribute to her Cyndi. I'm sure she feels equally blessed to have you for a daughter-in-love.
Cyndi, how wonderful your MIL is!! I think besides a lovely tribute, your post inspired others -me for instance- to desire to love others like that. Wow. that is all I can say. I know sometimes I throw myself a pity party when I am dealt a situation when someone I love is much less then loving and accepting...but what a powerful reminder that I need to look past how I thinks others should be, and be that "love" myself to others.
thank you again, I love this post!
have a blessed weekend
Cyndi, you are so lucky to have a person like that in your life. Isn't that what we all want and need in life...love and acceptance?? What a blessing to have a MIL like Nancy! And I think you're pretty great too! :)
thanks for visiting my blog!
Sounds like you've got a fantastic mil! :)
Add me to the list of people that want to be like her, too. My MIL is sweet and I get along well with her, but she is kind of shy and slow to praise. I am more outgoing and I try to focus on people like they are the only thing in my world while I am with them. It doesn't cost you anything to go the extra mile to make someone feel special. Most of all, when we're gone, people won't remember what we said... they'll remember how we made them feel.
What a precious gift and a blessings your MIL is. That is very rare to have someone in your life like that. I think it is awesome that you have such a wonderful relationship with her...makes me miss my mom, who is 6,000 miles away, even more. Although we talk every Saturday morning, it is not the same to see someones precious face.
What a great blessing your MIL is to you! Your lovely post to her made me realize that my mom in law is just a wonderful person too and I'm going to have to tell her that!
1. Your MIL is right, you do have a wonderful blog!
2. You are blessed to have a wonderful MIL. Me not so much.
Cyndi,
I wholeheartedly concur with your mother-in-law... your website is wonderful (I try to read it every day), and it would, indeed be a shame if you don't write a book some day (actually, I think you are already doing that!
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