Step Family Day

"To redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, you are also an heir"

Via TJC

30% of all American children age 18 and under are stepchildren. It stands to reason that about 1/3 of all families are blended. Personally, I’ve been blessed with children and stepchildren. They’re all grown now. I love them, and I’ll venture to say the feeling is mutual. I thought it might be interesting to look at what the Bible has to say about step families. So here goes:

Are we stepchildren?

I guess that would depend on how you interpret the scripture that began this article. I tend to think that the analogy Paul was trying to draw is of a step family. He actually uses the word adoption to describe what happens to us when He saves us. 

Growing up, I had neighbors and friends who were stepchildren. I’d like to say that all of those kids were treated well, but that would not be true. In particular, I remember a family with five children who lived down the street. Two of them were stepchildren. They were not treated equally to say the least. Maybe it was because they were older that they were treated differently. Maybe it was that more was expected of them since they were older and should be more responsible. But something else was different, and it was obvious to someone on the outside. Benefit of the doubt, I think the stepdad tried to be a natural father to those two kids, but he failed when it came to fairness and equality. 

Things like that leave an indelible mark on you when you’re a kid. I truly believe it helped me to be a better step parent. It’s not easy, but as a kingdom man, you have a ready example. That would be Jesus.

As an adopted child of Almighty God, you are part of a well blended family. It consists of people from all walks of life. All races, colors, and creeds. With one thing in common: We are his beloved children and he loves us and treats us as such. Thank you, Lord, for adopting us.

Daily Battle Order

Pay attention to what’s going on in families around you. Especially those families that have been pieced together after a divorce or a death or otherwise. Pray for opportunities to become a catalyst for unity and peace in those families. 

Father, thank you for making yourself equally available to all of us as families. We ask a special blessing on step families today. Just as you loved us deeply when you adopted us, give them the wisdom and strength to love each other the way all families should love each other. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.