Blended Family Life can be a place for a 'Fresh Start'
Do YOU know a Stepfamily that could use a boost?
SEE them with 'new windows' from your heart.
*** NOTE *** A struggling couple we are coaching mentioned their 'neighbors', even people at their own church, seemed to be judgmental about their new marriage and blended family. Even felt like they were being 'whispered' about. This hurts. Anyone who has walked through divorce, single parenthood and now perhaps blended family life knows firsthand the sometimes 'branded-ness' (by some) of the situation. Our tag line is 'from broken to blended to bonded'. Sometimes 'branded' is part of that brokenness. Remember, God doesn't make mistakes. Keep Looking UP!
TWO STORIES TO ENCOURAGE YOU TODAY:
(First a story I read multiple places online a couple of years ago.
Knew it might serve others one day.)
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Knew it might serve others one day.)
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
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| See a Blended Family next door? |
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
ENCOURAGING 2nd story from scripture... John 8 : 1-12
"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
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| Blended Family Fresh Starts |
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
My wonderful wife Rebecca often mentions that she wonders if Jesus, as he knelt and was writing in the dust of the ground, was actually writing the 'shortcomings' and 'sins' of the Pharisees. Or perhaps to share with the woman, right where she is at, that she was free to go and begin anew in her life.
We certainly understand why God states in Malachi that He hates divorce. We do too. The ripples it causes His people for generations is not His plan. But it is not an unpardonable sin, nor a place where others can condemn if you truly are seeking a 'new beginning'. SO BE ENCOURAGED! GOD LOVES YOU! HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR YOU! BELIEVE IN HIM!
Whether it's your own house windows or the public square, where is your heart. Help a marriage, a child, a neighbor, co-worker or fellow church member rise up above their circumstance and see the 'fresh starts' that God offers them.
We are here to help: www.thebondedfamily.com We know you can do it. If God believes in you and is for you, who can be against you? We'll help you become 'overcomers' in your family setting like you've never believed you could. We offer practical tips and the inspiration to 'keep on, keepin' on'. That's the key. Not just in the techniques but in the special touch and strength of God.
PERHAPS A GRANDPARENT, NEIGHBOR, FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER? Consider a SPONSORSHIP / SCHOLARSHIP to our upcoming Colorado weekend April 1-3. Call a family member or some couple you know struggling and say 'we want to send you to Colorado for a fresh start'. www.tbfcolorado.eventbrite.com
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