theologer

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." - Ephesians 6:1
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." - Colossians 3:20

I come from a pretty spectacular family in that I genuinely respect my parents and aspire to be quite like my father. I know that few can say this. As I get older I definitely think my parents are weirder and weirder, which is either because I'm getting older and more aware of their idiosyncrasies, or they genuinely are getting weirder.

But one thing I've noticed is just how much harder this is with one's in-laws. I am in the midst of an in-law family reunion, and in my house right now there is:

My wife,
My wife's brother
My wife's sister in law
My wife's other sister in law
My wife's mother
My wife's grandmother
Two nieces
One nephew
And my daughter.

If you'll notice thats 8 women and 3 men (including me). I grew up in a male dominated home and when the estrogen outnumbers the testosterone I don't really know how to cope.

Basically, I'm just arguing that today finally, I can relate to many of you who come from difficult families and are trying to honor your parents/families. This family isn't difficult at all. In fact I really enjoy many of them. But no matter how well you get along with in-laws, their still in-laws, and ten of them is too many.

I'm just taking comfort in the fact that my wife has to go to a family reunion with my family in about 3 weeks and she will be put through the same torture.

I have to assume when Paul said, "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." - 1 Timothy 5:23, the reason for the stomach pain and frequent ailments was family.