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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: IN-LAWS (07/11/19)
In a quiet suburban street a war was raging. In the house with pink curtains Brain had moved back to his childhood home because he had lost his job, his home and his confidence.

With him came his wife Jean and two children. They moved into the previously unoccupied rooms at the back overlooking the garden where all was peaceful.
Jean had a job. She was frequently tired which was made worse by the fact that Anna, Brain’s mother, her mother in law insisted on doing all the cooking.

Jean was vegan. Anna and Brian were not. It bothered Jean to see the foods that were served to the children but she kept silent.
“What else can I do?” she asked herself a lot.
Anna and Jean said very little to each other. They had so little in common apart from the children, her grandchildren and her son Brain, of course.

As a compromise she would buy vegan meals and heat them as needed. To her mind, she was in a storm. Her favorite Biblical verses were

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” [Elijah 43:2 ESV}


Her best friend Abby prayed for and with her daily. She gladly complied. “I cannot cook what I like. I have no authority. I am a permanent guest.” she told her.

“Living with in laws must be hell,” said Abby.

“There can only be one boss in the kitchen!” reflected Sammy, another friend.

They were Christians and the one united activity of the family was church. “The Bible did not say anything about in laws.” was a line she heard in a sermon one day. It made her smile.
Jean did not know how to deal with Anna’s arrogance and her avoidance of her, until one day tragically Anna had a mini stroke due to high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Her left arm was paralyed. They were all in shock.

But as things settled down at home, some role changes occurred. Jean was now chief caregiver, provider and cook. Anna started opening up to her looking for ways to return to good health. One day they had a family meeting and came to an agreement at the dinner table.

“More veggies, and less red meat.” pleaded Anna.
“Daily family prayer? ” suggested Jean.

She decided in her heart to always respect Anna and teach the children to do the same. Brain sat quietly with a wry smile on his handsome face.
“I am happy that you two are friends at last. I will forgo meat for ever to have my peaceful loving family back.” he said gleefully.

“Oh, and incidentally, my old boss called me today. Not only do I have a job again but I have been promoted and have a pay raise. My darling Anna, you can now work less hours if you wish, and, Praise the Lord!”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Janet Richey
07/18/19
Wow! You really captured the essence of having to live with a mother-in-law under unfavorable circumstances. I loved the scripture reference in Elijah -thank goodness it's not copyrighted because I think I'm putting that in my arsenal-, but I loved how you demonstrated God's reward for obedience. Good story.
Barbara Culler 
07/19/19
Good story on tolerance. Now, i'm not sure what the name was suppose to be, but it was written "brain" 4 times and Brian at least once. Easy to do! Keep on writing.
C D Swanson 
07/21/19
Excellent title, and such a powerfully written story.
Well done,

Blessings~