(Minghui.org) When my mother-in-law died, my father-in-law decided to marry again four years later. We held a wedding ceremony for him and his new wife. She appeared to be a good and honest woman.
They were officially married with a marriage certificate that everyone in the family witnessed, before she moved in with my father-in-law. Because of that, I thought highly of her for her integrity and values.
My husband had three siblings, two older brothers and one younger sister. They all worked in other cities, and couldn't visit the elderly couple often. We lived nearby, so the responsibility of helping them naturally fell on us.
My father-in-law was in his 70s. He was a retired senior engineer, and in fairly decent health. He was still able to pick wild vegetables and mushrooms in the mountains. My new mother-in-law was in her 60s, and was also doing well physically. She was able to do the household chores, so initially they didn't need much help from us.
My husband and I often went to check on them, and help with errands.
Taking Self-Interest Lightly
My mother-in-law asked me over one day, saying that she had a gift for me. It was what people referred to as a “lucky pearl.” She said, “Your father-in-law and I went to the jewelry store to purchase one for everyone.”
She then explained that my sister-in-law requested that if they buy something for one of the family, then they should buy the same for everyone else.
I was now practicing Falun Dafa, and so I looked at the situation differently. I said to my mother-in-law, “I appreciate your generosity, but I would rather you keep it for yourself. There's no need for you to buy one for me.”
She was touched. With tears in her eyes, she said, “We had to save up for many months in order to buy for everyone.” And insisted that I keep it.
Two of my sisters-in-laws later used a variety of excuses to get money out of my in-laws. Sometimes my mother-in-law was a bit upset about it. She didn't want to say anything in front of them, but did complain to my father-in-law and me in private.
I felt a bit sad and disappointed in my sisters-in-laws. However, I remembered that I was a Dafa practitioner and shouldn't interfere in their affairs. I would still treat them kindly, and not argue with them. I tried to comfort my mother-in-law, and told her to not take it personally.
I also told her that the reason others kept asking for things from her was because they felt their lives were difficult. I told her that I might have done the same if I didn't practice Falun Dafa.
When they transferred their three bedroom apartment to my husband’s sister and helped their children find employment, I felt wronged. But since becoming a practitioner I came to understand the true meaning of life. I said, “I am fortunate for having the guidance of Dafa. I know how to be a good person. I don't need anything else.”
I have been continually rectifying myself in Dafa cultivation and managed to eliminate many attachments. As a result, all my family members have learned the truth about Falun Dafa, and quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.
My two sister-in-laws gradually stopped complaining about their financial situations when they went to visit my in-laws. During the Chinese New Year, they brought gifts when they went to see them. Moreover, my sister-in-laws took care of the household chores, giving me a break. They said that I had been working hard all these years. I felt truly happy for them for their positive transformations.
I often talked to my mother-in-law about Dafa, telling her about the relationship between good and evil, and retribution. I told her how Dafa had been spread to so many countries, and how my illnesses disappeared after I began the practice.
She witnessed how I had benefited from Dafa—my peaceful demeanor, and my harmonious family life. She said, “You have such wonderful relationships with others. When I go out, people I know praise you for your character.”
She added, “I told your father-in-law that I wished you were my daughter.”
In-Laws Believe in the Goodness of Dafa
I went to visit my in-laws one day after breakfast. As I approached their house I saw that my mother-in-law was busy cooking, but she kept wiping her eyes.
I walked into the kitchen and asked if she was okay. She pointed at her throat, and said, “A fish bone got stuck in my throat. I tried to get it out by eating different foods, but nothing worked. Your father-in-law said that I might have to have surgery to get it removed.”
I tried to comfort her, and told her to recite “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,” as one would receive blessings by doing so.
She went into her bedroom for a while. When she came out, she said, “It worked!” She was so excited, and quickly went to tell my father-in-law. I was happy for her, and thanked Master and Dafa.
My mother-in-law later developed a serious illness, and was admitted to the municipal hospital for treatment. She was discharged a week later. When her neighbors saw her, they were amazed at her recovery.
I asked her if she knew why she had recovered so quickly.
“I have been reciting ‘Falun Dafa is good’ every day,” she replied. “When I couldn't sleep at night, I just used the time to recite the words. I also did it during the day, and while outdoors walking. Sometimes when I saw your father-in-law feeling down, I said it for him, or we recited it together.”
My father-in-law had also quit the CCP. He knew that Falun Dafa was a Buddha Law, and was spread to the world for saving people. I was delighted for their knowing the truth.
Taking Care of My In-Laws and Eliminating Attachments
My father-in-law is in his 80s, and has lost most of his eyesight. My mother-in-law's vision began to fail when she was in her 70s.
When I went to the house one time after not being there for a few days, there was a foul smell in the place. The kitchen was a mess, so I began to clean it. My husband soon came and helped me. When I got to the bathroom to clean I saw the source of the odor, in the toilet.
My mother-in-law was very embarrassed. I tried to comfort her by saying, “That’s okay. Birth, old age, illness and death is a normal cycle for people.” And then finished cleaning up the bathroom.
After that we went almost every day to help them with the housekeeping. Later, when my father-in-law became so weak that he couldn't take care of himself, we moved in to live with them. Seeing that my mother-in-law was exhausted from taking care of my father-in-law, I helped prepare the meals and clean the house. When my husband came home from work, he took over and gave my mother-in-law a much needed break.
My mother-in-law broke out in tears, seeing how her son took good care of his father. She said to my husband, “You look after you father very well, and my daughter-in-law treats me like her mother.”
The family is a great place to cultivate ourselves. I truly appreciate Master for providing this great opportunity for me to improve my xinxing.
My father-in-law passed away at the age of 85, after having being bedridden for a year. He did not suffer before passing away.
After we buried him, my mother-in-law's children and grandchildren comforted her. No one ever mentioned the will or what they could get from my father-in-law's assets. My mother-in-law said, “I am so lucky to have married your father-in-law. I have such wonderful children.”
We all knew the reason for her good fortune was because she knows that Dafa is good.
