Then God Created In Laws

Bob and his wife Kay have celebrated fifty years of marriage, and are blessed with five children, twelve grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. The chapters in this book reflect many of the experiences and interpersonal relationships with in-laws during these fifty years. Both families had Christians and non-Christians, difficulties, misunderstandings, parents that needed to be cared for in old age, differences in family child-rearing practices, and brother and sister-in-law problems, along with the pressures of trying to maintain a Christian testimony through it all. Since their marriage, Bob and Kay have been active in church. Bob has been teaching in Sunday school, children’s church, and a Bible institute. His experience includes serving as a deacon and being involved in many ministries of the church. A particular concern of his has been encouraging young couples in their Christian growth. Bob is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Long Island, New York, where he majored in marine mechanical engineering. After serving as a marine engineer aboard several ships and traveling to many countries, he was involved in engineering of steam production systems. In 1983 he formed the Robert L. Bruce Company as an engineering consulting firm. The impetus for this book began several years ago as a request for Bob to speak at a grandparent day where his grandchildren attended. Since that beginning, he has interviewed and conducted surveys with in-laws of all ages, defining the concerns that needed to be addressed. Teaching and counseling young couples confirmed the need for scriptural instruction beginning before the marriage right through the latter days of grandparenting. Bob has reviewed the basics of this book with capable Christian people from many walks of life for their comments and input to help make it scripturally applicable to a broad spectrum of Christians.