Calling Your Mother-in-Law Mom: A Biblical Perspective

Calling your mother-in-law "mom" or "mother" is a beautiful and appropriate way to honor the close familial relationship and spiritual bond that God intends for the home circle. 🌸 This practice reflects the respectful and affectionate conduct seen in sacred history, where the mother-in-law is held in high esteem and treated with the same tenderness as a biological parentHR July 1, 1880, par. 5+1.

Examples of Close Bonds

Scripture and history provide touching examples of women who regarded their mothers-in-law with deep devotion, often using the term "mother" or "daughter" to signify their love:

• Ruth and Naomi: Ruth’s commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi, is a classic illustration of this bond; she chose to leave her own people to stay with Naomi, declaring that Naomi’s God would be her God Ruth 1:16ARSH August 14, 1860, page 101.23+1.

• Mutual Affection: Naomi addressed Ruth tenderly as "my daughter," and their relationship was so intertwined that Naomi later became a nurse to Ruth’s child, who was seen as a redeemer for Naomi’s own household Ruth 3:1BHOTV3 169.1+1.

• Modern Precedent: It is common for those within the faith to speak of their mothers-in-law with great affection, referring to them as a "mother in Israel" who provides godly counsel and blessing12MR 244.3+1.

Honoring the Relationship

Using a title of endearment like "mother" can help foster harmony and fulfill the divine requirement to show honor to parents:

• A Law of Kindness: The household should be governed by a law of kindness, where the daughter-in-law is solicitous and tender toward the older members of the familyARSH January 16, 1866, page 51.16+1.

• The Marriage Circle: Husbands are specifically encouraged to treat their wife's mother with gentlemanly respect and to consider her advice a blessing5T 122.1+2.

• Healing and Care: Peter showed great concern for his wife’s mother when she was ill, and Jesus honored this family connection by healing her so she could continue ministering to the household Luke 4:38-39+1ARSH February 4, 1862, page 73.8.

Spiritual Considerations

While the enemy may try to sow division within households, causing a man's foes to be those of his own family, the goal of a Christian is to maintain peace and fulfill the marriage vows by honoring all relatives Matthew 10:35-36RH April 23, 1889, par. 6+2. If you treat your mother-in-law with the honor due a mother, you are following the spirit of the law, which commands us to honor our parentsARSH January 31, 1854, page 13.8+1. 🕊️ Even in difficult circumstances, a daughter-in-law’s simplicity, modesty, and devotion can be a powerful witness for the truthBHOTV3 163.3+1.