‘So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” ‘ Romans 4:16-18(NLT)
‘But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!’ Galatians 5:22-23(NLT)
‘Give your burdens to the Lord , and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.’ Psalms 55:22(NLT)
‘Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.’ 1 Peter 5:7(NLT)
‘But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. ‘ Luke 22:26(NLT)
We believe and have experienced that with the right ingredients step families will blend. We named our non-profit ministry Blending a Family because by faith we chose to call things that are not as though they are. There is power in the words and actions we choose, choosing not to be served but to serve every person in our family. You may have heard it said that blenders have blades because blending is not easy, and the effort is challenging.
The definition of blend is “to mix together so that the things mixed cannot be separated or individually distinguished.” As a demonstration, when we make a smoothie we may blend milk, spinach, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, banana, mango, and protein powder into a blender. The power in blending a smoothie is electricity and sharp steel blades. The protein powder adds healthy ingredients, creaminess, and sweet flavor to the smoothie.
In blending a family, each family member may have initial ingredients as hurts from past experiences, guilt, shame, resistance to the new family, fear, living with guarded hearts to not be hurt again, doubt, anger, unforgiveness, disconnectedness, wanting their old family back, broken dreams, and unmet expectations. The power needed to blend a family includes the husband and wife building their marriage first, and creating a home atmosphere of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, forgiveness, gentleness, and acceptance.
All people will gravitate to the place where they find acceptance and belonging. This reminds me of the home in my childhood neighborhood where all the neighboring children regularly gathered to hang out and play.
If the only love a child feels in the blended family is from their biological parent, that child will not feel a part of the new family, and will not find a healthy environment.
Suggestions:
Work together with your spouse to define the ingredients within your new family members. Write down the dynamics that each adult and child brings in the family.
What words and actions can you give to your family to create positive changes?
Our Prayer for You
Lord give this family the vision and steps to create a peaceful, kind, gentle home where every family member wants to belong. Help them resolve all conflicts through Your wisdom. Thank You Jesus for taking their cares and anxiety because You care so much for them. Amen!
Copyright 2019 Moe and Paige Becnel @ Blending A Family Ministry
from Blending A Family