Loving Your Blended Family
Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Angie Wyatt in Blog
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Loading ...Is your family blended? Do you have stepparents, stepchildren or half-siblings? Or, is your nuclear family intact just as it was from the start?
What about God’s family? I wonder if His family is blended? Does God have stepchildren?
In America, blended family members represent 1 in 3 people. That statistic is growing rapidly. Of children born this year, 50% will experience their parents’ divorce before their 18th birthday.
I was raised in an all-American, blended family. I have parents, stepparents and half-siblings. Though, any one of my siblings would protest the disdain insinuated in the term half sibling. Half defines our biological connection only, and in no way describes our bond.
Growing up in two families was often confusing. Each family strived to form their shared values, activities and house rules. Each household was unique, but posed both strengths and weaknesses.
While challenging, being raised in a blended family also presented a special opportunity – the chance to experience life from two perspectives, to examine both sides of a single coin. Each family loved God and each other, but they expressed that love differently. Neither was wrong, they were just different.
I found that the more I embraced the individuality of each of my family members, the more satisfaction and happiness I found in the family. I learned to love each member of my family for their individual opinions, thoughts, preferences and priorities. This was difficult at first; but the less I judged others, the more I grew in my ability to love.
God’s Family 
God’s family is a Bible term we use to describe every single person on earth who believes in Him. When the term originated, there was just one, single church. Today, God’s family includes three major branches of Christianity: Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. Plus, there are well over 38,000 Christian denominations!
So, is God’s family blended? Throughout the world, 2.1 billion people worship the same God, in different ways. Despite its fragmented theology, people desperate for belonging and love find their home (somewhere) in God’s family.
I’m not suggesting that any person is less connected to God than another. Surely, God does not have stepchildren. But, what if I viewed my Catholic, Orthodox and Baptist sisters as I view my half-siblings?
What if I embraced other Christians along with their various opinions, priorities and political views? What if I learned from them and treated them as my own family? What if I protested anyone who said they were my “half siblings” and not my “real siblings?”
Hopefully, I’m treating God’s family as I treat my blended family – with love, loyalty and respect. Is your family blended? How about your spiritual family? Share your thoughts.
Rose
13. Jul, 2010
Not an easy question Angie. – Everybody has the rigt to be treated well. Family or not. I know it gives to severe parents (mine) poisoning the air with their treatments and behavier. Me as their only child not at all easy. So be nice to eachother even when you don’t agree with others opinions. Blessings Rose
cysradill
13. Jul, 2010
as I read your post Angie what I find happening is that a lot of us have lost our way. People have found it easier to run away from their marriage vows and the 10 conmandments . They find another partner and say their vows again . Make another home and leave their children to adjust and find away to love and respect and have loyalty now to two familys .
all with different values and ideas.
When we choose to be in Gods family we know it is one family.
and will always be. Even when we try to run away and hide from Gods family. We know if we work hard and value him we can be back in his family. He forives us. And that is lacking in alot of marriages is forgiveness. I have been married 53 years and my parents were 66yrs. There has been alot of hard times, But I usually refer to my vows I said in the presence of Lord. And then talk to the Lord and my husband and there has to be away to work it out and so far there has been.
God Bless Everyone And keep on been loving and respectfull to each .
Jan-Michael
13. Jul, 2010
I grew up believing there was just my Mum, my Dad and my one sister and me, all happily living in Canada, having moved here from England when my sister and I were very young children. Not that anyone lied to me, but the idea that there were other siblings never came up and I guess there was no reason to bring up a sad time in my Dad’s life.
Then, when I was about twenty, a distant relative came to Canada on business and he brought a message for my Dad that his daughter from an earlier marriage wanted to know if she might be welcome to contact my Dad!
Wow, another sister; when, where, why invisable, why no mention of her before?
Well, the details of my Dad’s first marriage and lack of contact from a daughter until her Mother passed away, are not important. But I finally met my other sister, 22 years older than I. Before she passed away herself at age 79 we developed a close relationship!
And, her boys, my nephews are very close with me though they live in England. The new sister and her boys and I found so much in common as individuals; interests, perspectives on Faith, interest in nature and music, etc.
My (full)sister in Canada had no interest in the new sister nor new nephews but we all have different roads to walk and I remain close with my sister, though never have been as close in thoughts and interests as I am with my English family. For the most part we do not talk about the extended family in England as that is something that I embraced and accepted one way, my sister here in Canada could never accept any of it without bitterness.
We all must find our way and I guess accept that it is not the same for everyone. As the movie of the same title portrayed, “It’s Complicated” and I think, for all life is complicated.
But if we can accept that life can be as Storms; it can be harsh but also make the Flowers grow and Rainbows, we can be happy with the positives and let the harsh aspects get washed away in the rain!
He Blesses all
Jan-Michael
Tina
13. Jul, 2010
Great post, Angie! What an interesting topic to explore.