The mother in law is probably not the first person one would think of on Valentine’s Day. But recently I was writing a greeting card for a friend who’s getting married, and started to write this:

[Image source]

You’ve probably seen or heard this passage before. It’s been read, sung, quoted and framed numerous times since antiquity. And I’m no alien to it. I think we probably had it recited at our wedding many moons ago…

But when I put pen on paper the very first line “Love is patient”, I paused. I’d always thought that I was a pretty patient person. But lately, motherhood and sleep deprivation have really been trying my patience. Is that why doctor’s waiting rooms are so called because of the patients? I know, different patients/patience, like that story about presence and presents. Ok, sorry, I digress…

{My mother-in-law in her youth with her father}

Well, the first person that popped into my head when I wrote “Love is patient” was my mother-in-law! You’d agree too if you knew her, and was aware of her circumstances. She is the most patient person I know. She is patient because she has love. She has love because she knows that God loves her. She is such a great example of real, patient love. So although it may seem strange that I’m talking about my mother-in-law on Valentine’s Day, it’s because she is after all, the mother of my Valentine!

So, whether you’re married or single, have a mother in law or not, I hope that you feel loved every day, not just on Valentine’s Day. Because God loves you, every day.