Blended Families: Biblical Application and EncouragementSample

A Better Protector

“The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, ‘Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.’ The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, ‘Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.’” — Genesis 21:8–13 (NIV)

One of the difficult challenges in blending a family is co-parenting and navigating through the nuances of court orders for sharing time with the children. I can recall walking through very difficult times trying to determine our shared time and work around scheduling with my co-parents in an amicable way. Oftentimes in these scenarios, tensions rise up and disagreements can create stress that weighs heavily on the rest of the family.

There will be times when the time-sharing schedule doesn’t go as planned or as the court has ordered. In all transparency, I can recall seasons when I didn’t get to see my kids quite as often as I thought I should and desired to. Those times were daunting, to say the least. I can remember countless nights when I lost sleep wondering if my kids were ok, wondering what they were doing and how they were being treated away for my presence and protection.

In today’s passage, Abraham is faced with the same dilemma. He is having to send his son Ishmael away. No longer will Ishmael be under Abraham's constant supervision and protection. He is being sent away with his mother, Hagar. This reality sends Abraham into turmoil.

Here’s where things get beautiful. God steps in to comfort Abraham and to tell him to listen to his wife, Sarah, to maintain peace in the household. He also reassures him that Ishmael will be taken care of. Even though he won’t be under Abraham’s direct care, he will be under the care of a better protector—a better father—God in heaven.

When I first read this narrative, it brought me great comfort because it assured me that though my kids were away from me for extended periods of time, living with their mother in a different home, God would take care of them. God in heaven is a way better father and protector than I could ever be. So, I stopped losing sleep at night because I was assured that even in my absence my kids were in the presence of a good father, a great protector.

Pause: Read Genesis 21:8–13 and meditate on God the great protector.

Practice: If you’re not seeing your biological kids right now due to custody guidelines or co-parenting tension, and you have anxiety when they are in the custody of your co-parent, rest assured that God is with them and remember to lift them up in prayer daily.

Pray: Ask God to keep his hand of protection upon your kids when they are away from you for extended periods of time due to custody guidelines.