Keep Walking, enjoy the view.

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.