Photo by Yuganov Konstantin
Mother’s Day can look completely different in blended families; maybe even a little awkward at times. It’s so easy to allow our thoughts to start drifting and the next thing we know we are comparing our Mother’s Day to someone else’s Mother’s Day. Before long we are feeling defeated and just plain different. We might even feel like it’s not fair.
Stepmoms, I know the hurt. I know the reality of feeling left out and forgotten. I get it! This Mother’s Day I want to encourage you with a new word. Surrender! When you were a little girl you probably didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a stepmother. It is different. It’s not easy no matter what your blended family looks like (divorce or death). It even gets messy at times.
There have been times that I have resisted my role in my family just because I simply didn’t understand exactly what my role was. It can be confusing… I have even envied colleagues at work that have traditional families and a seemingly “normal” life.
Then…God used the verse in Luke 1:38 to convict me and to change my way of thinking. Let’s look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, for a moment. No, she wasn’t his stepmother, but I believe her attitude and response toward the angel can be our approach too. We can learn a lot from her.
Mary was put in an interesting situation. But, don’t miss the results of her obedience! I’m sure there were days where she just wanted things to be “normal”…a “normal” engagement, marriage, and pregnancy.
Examine Mary’s state of mind when the angel delivered this news to her. She accepted her assignment with total and complete surrender. What if I accepted my assignment with whole surrender? What if on this Mother’s Day instead of looking around and comparing my family dynamics to others I willingly say, “I am Your servant Lord. I will do whatever You ask of me.”
God has given each of us a very special mission. Whether you have biological children, stepchildren, “ours” babies, or a combination of all of the above, you have a ministry in your home. Do not miss this opportunity to live out the obedience God has called you to do.
I know it’s not always going to be smooth and most definitely not easy, but look at the result of Mary’s attitude of surrender and willingness to let it be according to the angel’s word. She is the mother of our Savior, the King of Kings!
Let’s view this Mother’s Day in a completely new way this year! We have been called and chosen to be mothers to the children in our lives. Mary’s view and willingness to obey can become our perspective too. We can choose to live the life God has placed before us and completely embrace that life knowing we are obeying Him.
Mother, you are so important to the children in your life. You are raising men and women of God. Take this role seriously. Adopt Mary’s attitude and say, “Yes, Lord. I will do whatever You ask even when it’s uncomfortable…especially when it’s uncomfortable.”
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:
Has there been times on your blended family journey where you have resisted your role as Stepmom? What would happen if you surrendered to the assignment in your stepchild(ren)’s life? How was this blog helpful and what are some practical tools that you will utilize moving forward?
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For so many situations that we perceive as less than ideal, this is brilliant!