Better Than Blended DevotionalSample

Writing Your Own Blended Family Story

Whether you are on the road to becoming a blended family, have just become a blended family, or have been part of a blended family for many years, you have probably at one time or another asked, “How does this work?” Chances are, you hope for or have worked for a smooth transition and a happy family life for you, your spouse, and your children, but you also know that things are not always that easy. Adjusting to married life can be a big challenge in itself, but when we add children to the mix, things can become a lot more complicated.

Have you ever been talking to someone and had to explain the “yours, mine, and ours” scenario? It looks a little like this: “Well, Joe was mine before I remarried, and Bill had two kids from his previous marriage, and then we had one together.” We always seem to end with an awkward pause and a half smile, especially if the kids are standing there. And all the person asked is if all these kids were ours.

God’s way of blending leads to family unity—but it requires some intentionality on our part. It is almost impossible for us to develop strong relationships within the home if we create a clear separation between our kids and our spouse’s kids. We have to remember that although the children may be our spouse’s, they are our God-given assignment to help raise. Our spouse is no longer in this boat alone, and neither are we.

You see, children know when we are not fully invested in building a relationship with them. Learning to embrace them all as “ours” breaks down the walls and shows our kids that regardless of when they decide to embrace our blended family, we are already committed. This is God’s way! And our kids need to see this.

Think about it!

Do you model oneness in your blended family? If not, how could you change that?