When God Makes Wrongs Right

A long time ago I wrote a post about someone who had said mean things about me. She was an 80 year old Russian lady named Anna who had never met me. Anna loathed me, but I think it was because she did not know that daughter-in-laws can love their mother-in-laws deeply. Here is the post I wrote six years ago:This morning I mentioned someone had gossiped about me. After looking it up the real definition is slander. An 80 year old woman, Anna, spoke untrue hurtful words about me and my husband to my elderly mother-in-law in order to turn her away from us. This woman has been telling these lies to her church. I do not claim to be like Ruth from the Bible but, I will tell you I have prayed most of my life to be that kind of daughter-in-law. I love, Vivian, my mother-in-law. I keep wondering why Anna, who does not know us, would speak this way against us. What makes her tick? What's the heart issue here?

When hurtful mean things are stated as tho they are facts and expressed with a twist to persuade a person to think or feel the way they want them to it is so wrong. This unkind woman, Anna, has a daughter-in-law who hurts her and keeps the grandchildren away from her, and now has left her son for another man. I believe Anna may assume all daughter-in-laws are this way. I'm sad for her if this is what she thinks and for her suffering. My action plan is to pray for Anna. I am also praying she will meet me and see that I am good to Vivian and to stop spreading lies and speaking evil against us.

Thank you for listening and praying for me. I know the things spoken cannot hurt me because they are not true, they could, however hurt my relationship with Vivian. I believe in the power of prayer and especially for praying for my enemies. The last thing Satan expected was for Anna to receive prayer; prayer for love, peace, joy, happiness and good things to happen to her.
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43 and 44

 Now, here is the saddest, but also the best part of all of this story. Even though it is very hard for me, for I am grieving, because... Vivian, my mother-in-law, is dying . 
You might say, "Why is that the best part of all?" What I mean is the healing that has taken place is the best part of all. Vivian loves me. At the Alzheimer's care facility, they say, I am the one she praises constantly. That, in itself is such a beautiful blessing from God, but there is one more...
Because Vivian is Catholic, I called her church to let them know, and I got to talk with 86 year-old Anna. At first I was nervous, but God gave me such a love for this dear lady. Over the past six years God softened her heart and mine. She was so sweet and I wanted to be sweet right back.She thanked me for calling her. She praised me and told me I could handle this and most anything. She was very sad to hear about Vivian, but she was so glad that I called her. Now I am feeling such love for Anna. I want to go and visit her. Isn't God good?
               Proverbs 17:9
"Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."    Please visit Tell His Story for more faith building stories. Thank you Jennifer Duke.

Blessings, Kathi