In the beginning she was my mother-in-law, a feisty women who did not take “no” for an answer. She and her husband raised seven boys.

I watch her flow in and out of sleep.

I did not just lose a husband in the divorce, I lost a family.

When the two become one, the oneness is more than the marriage bed, and children, it is extended family.

And what God joined together, can it ever really become asunder?

I look at my children, the one-ness still exists.

God in His wisdom and mercy allows divorce but from the beginning it was never to be this way. Marriage is a refection of our one-ness with God. We are the bride.

Yet in this fallen world it does exist, and the pain and sorrow causes us to struggle at times with the love of the Bridegroom.

I would scream, “How could you let this happen? I am your child!”

He held me…and I cried… years ago.

I touch her hand, so soft, and smile-remembering.

I remember her waking me at two a.m. to go shrimping. We threw out the Jim Dandy dog food as bait. “They like this stuff”, she would say.

She taught me to cast the net, and cast the net, and cast the net, until a half-dollar shape was formed on my release.

As the sun rose we pickup the bucket full of shrimp, a few crabs and fish, returning to the house. They would be used in the gumbo the next day. She teaches me to make the gumbo; it takes two days to make gumbo.

Several years ago, God in his mercy and love, has restored the friendship. The father of my children and I talk about our children and grandchildren.

My husband is called their friend…only God could do such a thing…only God.

She was my mother-in-law, she is my friend, and I am so grateful.

Joining with Ann at Mulitudes on Monday, Playdates with God, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, House Upon A Rock

Bio
Latest Posts

Diane W. Bailey

Diane W. Bailey is the founder of The Consilium – an online community of wisdom and purpose for women over 45 years of age. She is a published author. Her books include String of Pearls – From Tears to Treasure, and 30 Days To A Better Stepfamily. She creates her own line of precious metals bracelets. Diane lives in the Deep South with her husband Doc. Together they have created a stepfamily, each having two stepchildren and two birth children, and share three grandchildren, one black lab named Charlie and one long haired tabby cat named Lil Girl. Diane’s passion is to encourage women to be all God has created them to be by pressing past fear and daring to live life as an adventure. Some of her life adventures include traveling to Israel, speaking, entrepreneurship and backyard farming with Doc. She loves Gumbo, fried shrimp and seeing all sunsets across water.

Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)

What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017

12 Comments

Susan Stilwell on February 27, 2012 at 10:18 am

What a precious story. Yes, it’s amazing the way God, and ONLY GOD, can take broken things and make them whole.
- dianewbailey on February 27, 2012 at 11:32 am
  
  Yes, Susan His is the only one…the One and Only
victoria on February 27, 2012 at 3:13 pm

I think this is such a beautiful moment!!! Ty for sharing.
- dianewbailey on February 27, 2012 at 7:58 pm
  
  Thank you, Victoria.
Terrie Atchison on February 27, 2012 at 10:09 pm

How very precious, this beautiful tiny “Rose”. We thank God for the blessing and gift that some people are to us….no matter how we became connected to them in the first place.
- dianewbailey on February 28, 2012 at 4:55 am
  
  Amen Teri, Amen
Lisa notes on February 28, 2012 at 10:08 pm

What a blessing that you were able to sit with your m-i-l. Yes, divorce has so many ripples that rip right through a family, but I’m glad you have this relationship still.
- dianewbailey on February 29, 2012 at 4:12 am
  
  Thank you , Lisa. God is so good.
Trish @ A House Upon The Rock on March 1, 2012 at 5:53 pm

What a beautiful picture of His redemption in our lives. Something only He can do.

Thank you for sharing this with us.
- dianewbailey on March 2, 2012 at 8:43 am
  
  Thank you Trish for the kind words, and thank you for stopping by Life Images, Hope to meet again!
Laura O in AK on March 2, 2012 at 12:00 am

What a beautiful story and great reminder that marriage joins more than husband and wife together.
- dianewbailey on March 2, 2012 at 8:44 am
  
  Yes indeed, Laura. Thank you for stopping by Life Images!