Blended

As I was considering and praying about an article for The Weekly a book on my shelf caught my attention. 

The title is “The Smart Stepfamily” by Ron L. Deal. While at first, this doesn’t seem to apply to everyone, I think you will understand that it does. First, it applies to all those families at LifePoint who are blended and second it needs to serve as a prayer prompt from everyone else to pray for our blended families. Family life in the 21st Century is tough enough. Add the challenges of blended families and we should be compelled to offer prayer support and even more if, and when able. Please take a few minutes to read through a list of the “Top 10 Things Kids Wish They Could Say to Their Divorced Parents.” This will give you a little understanding of the challenge of blended families for children and for parents.

1. Don’t say mean things about my other parent – I want and need to love you both.
2. When you criticize my other parent it makes me angry at you!
3. Don’t make me pick who I want to spend time with.
4. Handle your financial conversations in private – I don’t want to hear about it, and I don’t want to be your messenger.
5. Don’t use money to win my love.
6. Don’t keep me from seeing the other parent – it may lead to resentment toward you.
7. Get a counselor to help you with your problems – I need you to be strong and stable for my well-being.
8. The harder you make it on my other parent, the harder you are making it on me.
9. Laugh and smile – I want to enjoy my life, and your mood impacts my mood.
10. Don’t forget that I have a divided heart now and I live between two completely different houses, rules, traditions, and attitudes. Be patient with me when I forget things or need some time to adjust from house to house.

To LifePoint blended families:
There is a stepfamily ‘Promised Land,’ of marital intimacy, interpersonal connectedness, and spiritual maturity. God has not abandoned you. If you will listen, trust, and continue walking by faith, you will hear him confirming your journey, offering guidance, and healing, and providing a path. But you must trust Him. There is a reward to be gained, but you must hold God’s hand and walk through your Sea of opposition and your Sea of opportunity.

To the people of LifePoint Church:
Our God is The God of Redemption and The God of the Second Chance. In your prayer life, adopt a specific blended family to pray for on a regular basis.

Please join me in praying for our blended families at LifePoint Church.
1. Pray that The Lord Jesus Christ will be the head of each home.
2. Pray for patient, grace filled and forgiving hearts for the parents and for children.
3. Pray that divorced parents will work together for what is best for their child.
4. Pray for the peace of God to rule in each heart and in the blended family as a whole.
5. Pray that children will grow into mature, faith filled followers of The Lord Jesus Christ.