In one of my first posts, I mentioned that I didn't want this blog to be a place to trash-talk the kids or the ex. That got me to thinking about other unpleasant things we might like to do because of the challenges of being a stepparent. For me, it's easy to want to judge the ex and criticize her life choices or blame her (or the kids) for problems that affect our lives. Sometimes it's tempting to let the drama come between me and my husband. There are many opportunities to misbehave.
As a Christian, my conduct should always reflect my love for God and my devotion to His word. But I am also human, which means that my thoughts and desires are often contrary to the teachings of Christ. God knows all about the problems in my life, but He still wants me to live in a way that represents Him well. I truly believe that many people want nothing to do with God because of how certain Christians have behaved. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be the kind of person who gives Christianity a bad reputation.
It may be tough to balance the unpleasantries of stepmotherhood with the lifestyle of righteousness, but it is not impossible. We can choose to do the right thing, even if we don't want to. Sometimes it helps to know that God loves us despite our faults and He forgives us even when others won't. And I have a hunch, that when we choose to deal with our stepmom challenges His way, life just might be a lot more peaceful.
We are getting to enjoy Revival Meetings with evangelist Mike Manor this week and boy is he stepping on my toes (well God through Mike). But on Monday night he preached on being a "fit vessel for Christ." 1 Peter 1:15-16. We are to "be holy, for Christ is holy." Sometimes we have to remember that means being 1) Set apart from self: choosing God first with immediate obedience and self-denial to flesh 2) We are nothing apart from Christ 3) Set apart from the world which is an artificial substitute for God and 4) Set apart from sin: sin of flesh and sin of spirit (apathy, complacency, murmuring, negativity, ungratefulness, and doing the right thing with the wrong heart motive. The past is the past, and Praise God, He has forgiven all those who ask, but the sin that was in our past sometimes likes to rear its ugly head and tempt us to stoop to its level. We must remember that we must "press toward the mark" and remember God has left us here on earth to share His HOLY, GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL, SAVING name with the lost and this is must be our utmost responsibility through actions, speech, and thought! I love you and praying for you! Love the last sentence of this!
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