NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

April 4

This month’s devotionals were written in grateful collaboration with my mother-in-law, who passed away a little over a week ago.

Scripture focus: Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15:17 NIV

Although Marion had her fair share of trials and tribulations, she was uncommonly fortunate when it came to the ways of love. Her marriage may have been cut short by her husband’s young and untimely death, but her extended family rallied around her. One of those treasured relationships was her sister-in-law, Vera. She and Vera have always been closer than sisters – a blessing for both that could have turned out much differently if they hadn’t committed themselves to loving each other.

As Marion lay resting in the hospital during what was to end up being her final week of life on planet earth, I asked her about her relationship with Vera. She told me a series of stories, the first of which sort of set the tone for the relationship.

Marion was dating Wes, Vera’s kid brother, and all of them went to a church pot luck supper. Now anyone can tell you that Marion loves her sweets – especially chocolate. Evidently, this was a lifelong love affair. When it came time to select from the plethora of delicious looking homemade desserts, Marion chose with care, selecting a yummy looking chocolate cake. Vera was a little slower making it back to the table.

Leaning close to her future sister-in-law, she offered a word of advice. “When you go for your dessert, don’t pick the chocolate cake. It’s nothing special.”

Vera glanced at Marion’s plate. You see (I know you’ve guessed it) – it was Vera’s cake! Vera spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out how to get her cake plate back without embarrassing Marion. I don’t think we ever heard the end of that story, both of them always cracked themselves up with laughter in the telling.

Until the very end, both these lovely women cared deeply for each other. They tried to spare each others’ feelings when possible, while relying on the strength of the other when life got just plain hard. Vera was not well enough to travel to Marion’s Memorial Service, but her lovely daughter Brenda joined the rest of us in celebrating the life of Aunt Marion. Brenda’s presence soothed us in ways that we know Vera’s love did for Marion over the years.
Marion taught us that family is really important. Family is more than your DNA. Family is priceless, worth treasuring and sacrificing for – and if at all possible, handling with care.

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