Blending A Family 40 day DevotionalSample

A Step Parent’s Greatest Power is Influence

All families are built one relationship at a time. In blended families, the bonding happens as each stepparent spends one-on-one time with each new (step) child to get to know their heart, likes, and dislikes. Just as we dated our spouse and spent quality time to get to know and fall in love with them, the same process is used to bond with our new children. This process needs to be intentional and ongoing.

We agree that a stepparent has no legal rights with a new child. However, a stepparent has the amazing ability to be a positive influence in a child’s life by accepting, encouraging, helping, and guiding them to their future.

Children are very impressionable. We (parents and stepparents) will leave a mark on them (good or bad). Some adults find children a bother, and can either passively or aggressively push them away. Children in these families will usually feel they do not belong, and may guard their hearts from being hurt.

Adults who understand the strong connection children have in a family will become a powerful influence to those children. 

Below are comments from three famous stepchildren who gave a “shout-out” to their stepparents:

Jeff Gordon – At age 4 his stepdad convinced him to drive a midget race-car. “John is the only Dad and manager I’ve ever known.”

Justin Timberlake – "At the age of five, I did see a man come into my life, my stepfather Paul Harless, and show me the value of stepping in and really being a man, falling in love with a woman, and bearing the responsibility of being a father figure to her son."

Former 1st Lady Nancy Davis Reagan – She adopted her stepfather's name, Davis, as her surname and stated that she admired him so much that she, eventually, considered him her true father. As a stepparent, we can be that positive influence to every child within our home.

Suggestions:

Ask the Holy Spirit to increase the influence you have with your new children.

Daily look for creative ways to show your stepchildren how important they are to you.

Our Prayer for you:

Father, help my heart to grow and embrace each new child in my life. Give me Your heart to understand theirs, Your ears to hear them, and the ability to influence with Your love. In Jesus’ Name!

Copyright 2019 Moe and Paige Becnel @ Blending A Family Ministry