Two-year-old Peter sat in the high chair happily devouring his food with his fingers. Then his grandmother said matter-of-factly, “He needs to start eating with a spoon. You don’t want him to graduate from high school and still not know how to use silverware.”

Diane felt insulted, as if her ability as a mother was being called into question. Of course he’ll be using silverware long before then! she seethed. Sometimes her mother-in-law, Lois, seemed so critical.

It took time, but with the passing years and much prayer, Diane learned to love Lois in the ways Paul described in his letter to the Colossians (1:9-10). She learned that loving one another with patience is a mark of growing in spiritual maturity (v. 11). As she got to know Lois better as a person and as a child of God, Diane also needed to forgive her for her outspokenness, just as God had forgiven her (v. 14). And, as she matured, Diane began to better understand and take joy in Lois.

In their last several years together before Lois’ death, the two talked and laughed and made many new wonderful memories for Diane to savor.

Learning to love others in our lives can be difficult. Sometimes personalities clash or others can say thoughtless things. But remembering the patience God has had with us and that He’s forgiven us helps us to do the same.