My mom and I used to be very close. Then I became a Christian. She is definitely not, and despite preaching tolerance, has been exceedingly uncomfortable with my faith and the fact that we're raising DD as a Christian as well. She's also uncomfortable with the fact that we homeschool. Since we started down this road a couple of years ago, she constantly makes remarks about socialization (DD's an only child) and what DD's missing out on. Just today I told her how much DD enjoyed a particular class and her comment was "of course she enjoys school, she's so lonely, it's her only outlet". As if we lock her in the basement! :roll: We recently took a vacation with my mom that was very stressful. I was continually confronted with side comments about my more conservative (than her) lifestyle choices (ex: she audibly sighed and said "for pete's sake" when DD talked about modesty with a neckline on a blouse I was wearing) as well as comments about how isolated DD is. Really? She has multiple activities each week with other kids and seems happy as a clam at home. I know that I should take a deep breath, think of the gifts God has given me, and face her with a compassionate heart and more patience than I've obviously been feeling. Or at least a sense of humor. But we're in the process of moving across the country to live in the same area she does, and she's scheduled surgery and is coming to stay with us for at least a month while she recuperates. Thinking about dealing with the constant judgement of my lifestyle while she's in my house and I'm caring for her is really stressing me out. I need to become a bigger person, and quickly! Prayers and wisdom from you wise women would certainly be appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent!
((hugs)) that sounds like a very hard situation. I know what you mean about your mother. My mom is the same way. She is a catholic and I have recently converted to Pentecostal and she is not happy about it at all, and more often than not makes very negative comments about how I do things and where I go to church. I pray for her because she needs to have a renewed heart <3 It will def. help you a lot if you start praying for her a few times a day. It will help you grow in compassion for her. You know that she has to be miserable because anyone that attacks someone in that fashion constantly is obviously a problem that they have with themselves and not actually a problem that she has with you. I'm so sorry that this is a storm you must endure and I will pray for you to have an increase of strength!! Remember, Don't loose your testimony by acting without love
Praying, my MIL just moved in with us two weeks ago. I was TERRIFIED. But, it's actually been really okay so far. Praying for you. Praying for your Mom. Maybe seeing you in YOUR environment, and seeing your daughter in HER environment will be a big difference. STAND YOUR GROUND! You ARE doing the right thing. (((HUGS)))
Thank you both so much for your wise thoughts. It's really helped to share this. This is helpful to remember -- thank you. Thinking that this is about my mother and not me will help me to focus on compassion rather than, um, wanting to strangle her. I needed that reminder to keep praying and approach this situation (and my mom) with love. I have been reading your story and keeping you in my thoughts. I'm so pleased that things have been going as well as they have with your MIL. That's a huge adjustment. I hope she continues to have good health -- the TIA episode (or whatever it turned out to be) must have been so scary. I will keep you in my prayers -- take care!
Your so welcome honey Look into a book called "Do yourself a favor, Forgive" by Joyce Meyers... its about forgiveness but so much more! It has really helped me to let go so many things that I don't have control over ... and as much as I wish I would, I def. don't have control over other people's actions BUT I do have control over mine and how I react to others. Stay strong honey ))) I will def. keep you in mind!!!!
Thank you so much for the advice and the book recommendation. I just got the book in the mail today and it's on my nightstand, ready to be read. I really appreciate the push in the right direction! Hugs your way.
