My husband’s mother did many things well. Her fried chicken outshone any restaurant I know. The 
five children she reared as a single parent grew into productive citizens in their communities. At ninety-plus years, she still dressed to impress. Her quilts adorned the beds and display racks of family members and friends. She recalled family history, her own and others, for several generations. Plus, she could outtalk anyone about any subject under the sun.
Don’t Tell
However, my mother-in-love could not keep a secret. Never could. If we did not want anything told, we knew better than to tell her. She intended no harm. She simply liked to share.
Despite her usual inclination, on one occasion, she did keep a secret. Sort of. My husband (then fiancé) had arrived in the United States following a tour of duty in Vietnam. Tentatively scheduled to arrive home on August 28, he promised to call before he left his house for mine. By early afternoon, I had heard nothing and grew more anxious by the minute.
Do Tell Partially
Finally, the telephone rang, but a female voice responded to my hello. His mother filled our conversation with her usual chit-chat. “How are you?” “Did you sleep well?” “Have you heard anything from Talmadge?” “I hope he’s not delayed.” Following the latest news about all the family and a few friends, she ended her call with the strangest statement. “Comb your hair.”
What? Comb my hair? Why in the world does she care if I’ve combed my hair? Then I knew. My fiancé, who had broken his promise and was on his way to my house, had sworn his mother to secrecy. With a smile wider than the world, I thought, He should have known better.
She did not say he had arrived home. She did not tell me he was headed my way. She did not break her promise of secrecy. Yet, she did. Because of her love for her son and for me, she wanted us to enjoy a reunion nothing short of perfect.
As on most occasions, I could not fault her for her deliberate slip of tongue. Her son was home. Her new daughter was waiting. Because of her loose lips and kind heart, I greeted my returning hero with a grateful heart and my hair combed.
Telling One and All
Not only did my mother-in-law share personal news, but she also told one and all the good news of a relationship with Jesus. She frequently asked about church attendance, but more important, she wanted to know if they knew Jesus as personal Savior and Lord. When she was no longer able to help with church programs, she still talked with visitors. Plus, the telephone, one of her favorite and most frequently used possessions, enabled her to continue to share her faith.
As a result, the son for whom I combed my hair, and a multitude of others, now live for and tell the people they encounter that same good news.
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’” (Mark 16:15 NKJV).
Precious. 💐
Thank you, Beckham. I read this at her celebration of life service.
I love analogies and enjoyed reading about telling what we know when it is timely.
Thank you for the opportunity to share, Diana. This was written with love.
I love this! Thanks, Diana.