Blend: Strengthen Your FamilySample

There’s Hope Amanda, a licensed therapist, married Daniel when he had two kids. They’ve been married 12 years and have added three more kids for a total of five. Together they lead a small group of blended couples. Most of us don’t dream of a future entangled in our own, or someone else’s, past. It’s hard to hang on for a ride we didn’t fully comprehend we signed up for. In general, it’s pretty hard to raise children. When you add custody schedules, different values at different houses, and the intricacies of bio and stepparent relationships, it can feel nearly impossible, frustrating, and lonely. Do you ever feel unavailable to friends, family, or maybe even your spouse because you soak up every second you have with your kids—hoping to compensate for the times you don’t have with them? Do you ask countless family members to adjust holiday plans to accommodate your holiday visitation schedule? Or maybe you’ve watched your children experience pain or situations they have no choice in with so many factors outside your control. No wonder it can feel challenging to put your marriage second (after God) when the needs of every other relationship in your blended family seem endless. It’s hard when making the best decision for your marriage doesn’t feel like the best decision for your child. You know I could keep going. It is hard. But there is hope. There’s hope because God, who sees the excruciating anxiety of court proceedings, invites us to cast our cares on Him. There’s hope because it’s God who named our families, it’s God who puts us in families, and it’s God who finishes what He starts. It’s God who knows all about being rejected by children, and it’s God who teaches us how to love in ways we never would have or could have otherwise. It’s God who knows when we are weak, He is strong. It’s God who reminds us to bring our childlike faith into our adult fears. It’s God who sees our brokenness and brings healing and wholeness. It’s God whose grace is enough every time we have to forgive others and ask for forgiveness one more time. It’s God who knew we’d need small groups, friends, counselors, and other blended couples who’d listen to all the crazy shenanigans and help us press on. It’s God who works all things together for the good of those who love Him. It’s hard, but with God, there’s always hope. In fact, this may be our best opportunity for God to show us just how powerful He is. Watch Blend: Proof Blended Families Can Get Along, Part 2 Pray and listen: God, help me to see today at least one way You have worked things together for good in my blended family. Thank You for being with me no matter what. I give You yesterday’s pain, today’s challenges, and tomorrow’s unknowns, and I trust you with it all. In Jesus’ name, amen.