Liz Curtis Higgs
About the Author

Former Bad Girl, grateful for the grace God offers. Happy wife of Bill, one of the Good Guys. Proud mom of two grown-up kids with tender hearts. Lame housekeeper. Marginal cook. Pitiful gardener. Stuff I love? Encouraging my sisters in Christ—across the page, from the platform, online, in person. Unpacking...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Liz,
    Sometimes it is hard for me to not have ill feelings toward my mother-in-law. She was very young when she had my husband and really wasn’t ready to have children and neglectful might be a euphemistic word to use, but the Bible still commands me to honor your mother and father and that includes my husband’s mother and father. We are all human and we all make mistakes. Bottom line – if it hadn’t been for my mother-in-law, I wouldn’t have my wonderful husband. Your tips are excellent. I love to tell stories of my husband’s goodness to my mother-in-law, like how he took such great care of me through my surgeries, how he is admired by his colleagues, etc. Her face does light up! I like to send her little cards from time to time with a Starbucks card tucked inside since she is on fixed income. Loving someone brings far more peace than resenting. It’s a choice. Great reminders this am!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    ps. Liz, praying for you and your health. You are an inspiration!! I saw your original Facebook live announcement as I was headed into have a cancerous cyst removed. Talk about a divine appointment. Thank you for your bravery and encouragement.

    • Bev,

      Praying for you sweet one! You have been through so much in these last few years. May God bring healing to your body. May you feel His nearness to you. I pray you don’t need chemo or radiation. I am working with Relay for Life to help end cancer. It seems like everyday you hear of another person being diagnosed. Sending ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))) your way from Watauga, TN – Turkeytown unincorporated-upper E. TN near NC border.

      Blessings 🙂

      • Beth,
        Thank you for your prayers….yes it has been a rough several years, but I am hoping and praying that all that is behind me!! I just started with a personal trainer to get my battle weary body back in shape. I am hoping this is the sign of things looking up and leaving the surgical suite behind me!!! One of the ER nurses complimented me on how well I scooch from the gurney onto the operating table. I told her I’d had lots of practice lol. Not something at which you want to be good!!
        Blessings sweet prayer warrior,
        Bev xoxo

  2. I really won the Mother-in-Law Lottery, and I considered her to be a bonus who came on top of the blessing of my good husband. So . . . now I have stepped into the mother-in-law shoes myself, so it’s my prayer that I can fill that role with godly grace and be blessing to the next generation.

  3. Liz, such words of wisdom! God orchestrated several events early in my marriage that forced me to decide how I’d handle things. While they were difficult situations to go through, I’m so grateful for the way it knit my mother-in-law and me closer together. She is an amazing, humble, generous woman. If not for the hard things God allowed, I might have missed out on knowing my mother-in-law the way I know her now. Great article! Thank you.

  4. Next to my favorite story of Esther, Ruth’s story is the next in line of favorites for me. Just like Mary, these women are not only courageous, they are willing – willing to follow God’s leading. We can only do as much to become women of ‘such a time as this.’

  5. Dear Liz,
    Thank you for your words of wisdom.
    You sound like such a cool and down to earth sister in the Lord.
    Blessings, Maggie

  6. Sometimes you might have a mother-in-law who is toxic.

    Unfortunately, this is my situation and I have tried all of these things and more, yet have been met with bitterness, anger and gossip behind my back. Sometimes mending may not always be possible. Right now I pray, and love from afar in order to guard my kiddos hearts and mine. I have come to the conclusion I can be the most loving and forgiving with her when there is distance, rather than when hurtful things are constantly happening to my family or me. So for those who are in a similar situation I just pray for peace and continual guidance in your relationship.

    • I’m so sorry that this is your situation. And yes, you are so right, sometimes toxic people come into our lives through all sorts of relationships and circumstances, and those must be handled with their own set of boundaries and discernment. It sounds like you are doing the best you can in a very difficult situation. Thanks for modeling grace and love in the messy middle of your story.

  7. My mother in law is now with the Lord, but I so adored her as I did my own mother. She was always so good to me and the last card I got from her was a Christmas card that said how she loved me as her own daughter of which she had 2. I miss her but know i will one day see her again and I like to think my mother and she are now best friends although they never got to see each other much since she lived in Canada and my mother in Calif. Thank you for your words and I didn’t have to start over. I had it from the beginning.

  8. Liz,

    I don’t have a mother-in-law. My husband’s mother died from cancer years ago. I have a special step-mother-in-law. She & FIL are dealing with his Stage III bladder cancer. To show her love I have been cooking for them a lot lately. Every chance I get I take them food I have gathered. Trying to ease her burden of meal prep. In the past I was able to take her to several doctor’s appointments so he could stay home. I call & check on them several times a week. Always telling her I love her. She has been through so much in her life & now she deserves to be “pampered” a bit. I’m doing my part to shower her with the love she deserves.

    P.S. Just found out about your cancer diagnosis. Praying for you sweet one. Know that I am working with Relay for Life to help fight cancer. Everyday someone new gets diagnosed with that disease. I look up to you as you always seem to have a smile on your face & laughter in your heart no matter the situation.

    Blessings 🙂

  9. I do love the story of Ruth and Naomi and came to love it through one of Liz’s books. Overall, female to female relationships can sure be complicated! Anytime we choose kindness and respect for each other even when feeling betrayed and hurt, builds God’s kingdom. I know this sure can be hard sometimes! As a single (divorced woman for decades now), I don’t have a mother ‘n law but I am a mother ‘n law, though, so on the other side where I too, have a responsibility to be loving and respectful to my son ‘n law. Always wonderful to read your words Liz!