When I was 7 years old, I watched my Mom and new Step-dad get married and drive away to their honeymoon without saying one word to me. I was left standing on the porch in the care of my new Step-grandparents that I hardly knew. I felt alone and abandoned. This was the beginning of my life as a step-child. Throughout my childhood, I felt forgotten. I had busy parents, more interested in their business, their social life, and my half siblings, than me. My biological father had also remarried and I felt like the fifth wheel in their family when I visited about once a year. I had food, clothes, and a nice room but didn’t feel like part of a family. Did anyone want me?
On a trip to visit those grandparents, I was asked to attend a church camp that summer. It was there, when I was 12 years old, I was saved by my living God. From that point on, I knew that I belonged to someone and that I was loved. My family didn’t go to church or even talk about God, but even at my lowest points, I knew that I could cry out to my heavenly Father. As a teen, I didn’t always know that God was answering my cries but now I can see clearly that He has never left my side. I was a victim of a second divorce but that turned out to be one of the biggest blessings and miracles of my life.
Today, I am married to the man that God has chosen for me and with him came two little girls. I used to say, “I wouldn’t wish being a step-parent on my worst enemy.” The adjustment was very hard and got harder when my husband and I had our two boys. But I was aware how those girls felt and with patience, consistency, and love we have a beautiful blended family.
I have experienced both tragedy and miracles in my life. The tragedies of abandonment, suicide, death, divorce, and cancer have brought me to my knees. But the miracles of restoration, unconditional love, healing, and grace have been my joy. For those women and men who have felt unwanted and abandoned and they aren’t sure how they will handle the next thing, I understand and know that it is the power of love that will get us through this thing and the next. It is God’s grace and eventual peace that allows us to handle our deepest despair. You are not alone and although the road may not be easy, Jesus is there.
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A – Julie Ziglar Norman's Personal Blog
B – Amey Fair's Personal Blog
C – DeDe Galindo Website
D – Melinda Delahoyde