Hope for the Future, Part One

Have you considered lately what hopes and dreams you have for your stepfamily? Do you face the the future with intentional effort toward achieving your goals?

If we want changes in our stepfamily, we need to first define what changes we're striving for and what steps we need to take to get there.

Are you pining for relationships with less conflict, more stability and greater understanding of one another? Do you desire full-time custody of your children or stepchildren? Do you need help with financial struggles to find peace in your circumstances?

It's easy to become comfortable with our present state and neglect the effort it takes to improve our situation. We can settle for mediocrity with little work or strive for excellence with intentional effort.

As my husband and I consider goals for our stepfamily, we ask the Lord to direct our steps in meeting those goals. Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us, "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Amplified)

The Lord knows our deepest desires and heart-felt longings. He wants to give us "the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) But we must include Him in our plans.

In the next post I will continue our discussion on hope for the future with an example of how God allowed a far-reaching dream in our stepfamily to come true.

What are your dreams for your stepfamily? Are you taking steps to achieve them?