Circumstances
are just background scenery for the journey we call life. As we continue down the path, the scenery
changes and fades. The landscape that
once seemed so prominent and right in our faces, has fused into a menagerie of
colors and is in the constant process of being forged into a masterpiece that
can only be seen by the Great Artist Himself.
I look
back over the last several years of our stepfamily life. All of it’s struggles, heartaches, triumphs,
and learning experiences. I see that it
is not unlike any other struggle in life.
We are
always called to Love God, and Love others.
We are called to forgiveness. We
are called to be other centered. We are
called to live as Christ lived and love as Christ loved. A tall order, yes, but not impossible, and if
we allow Him, God can use this very trying and difficult road to refine us in
ways that no other path could. These are
not things that we can muster up the strength and muscle our way through. It is only through the power of the Holy
Spirit and His strength that we can even desire to follow through.
I can
finally say that I am truly grateful for this road. I’ve had days where I have cursed it. Days I would’ve given anything to trade it
in, to go back in time and change the cards life had dealt us and the ones we
picked up ourselves. Then I must remind
myself that my comfort and happiness is not what life is about. These momentary struggles and trials bring
about a greater purpose for my life & God’s Glory.
What use
is a life that has no color? I believe
with all that I am that our pain does not go wasted in the hands of our
redemptive God. This holds true for our
children too.
In stepfamilies
we are called to love in deeper and more sacrificial ways than the average
person. We are challenged to forgive 70
x 7. We have an awesome opportunity to
wrestle with our flesh and seek to become better, not bitter, deep, not
disgruntled, but ultimately we are offered an invitation to draw close to an
Almighty God who can walk us through each step, joyous and painful. We are offered the chance to love the
hurting, and offer a cool cup of water to the broken…as these are the children
living under our roof.
As I take
in the scenery, I am reminded to keep my eyes set on the horizon. For just over that horizon is my destination-
eternity with my King. Each passing
scene can draw me closer to Him or further away from deep communion with Him,
and it is solely my choice. Each step,
each day draws me closer to that horizon, I get to choose what kind of shape I
am in when I walk over that hill. I am
deeply convicted and challenged by this.
