Hope for the Future, Part Two

Before my husband, Randy, and I married, we dreamed of having a child together. But, unfortunately, Randy had chosen to have surgery to prevent more children with his previous wife.

We underestimated the challenges ahead when we blended our four children together. Life soon became consumed with sibling rivalry, conflict with ex-spouses, and daily mundane chores.

The promise of a child together faded into the background but remained etched in my mind.

Five years into our marriage, life settled into a manageable routine. One day, Randy stumbled upon information of a nearby Christian doctor who performed vasectomy reversals. We were surprised to find his surgery fee much more affordable than others we researched in the past. We agreed to pray about the option and necessary steps for the surgery.

God clearly spoke to me during that time through Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Randy arranged for a consult with the doctor. However, the news he received was not favorable. Because of the length of time since Randy's original surgery and the fact we were both approaching 40 years of age, the likelihood of conceiving a child was slim.

We questioned whether to move forward with the surgery. But as my friend recently remarked, "How can God direct our steps if we're not taking any?" We knew there were no guarantees, but would regret not seizing the opportunity the procedure offered.

The surgery was a success and I was pregnant three months later! We knew God had intervened to make our dream come true. Randy and I were overwhelmed with the birth of our only child together, Nathan, who united our family with a common thread.

Our hopes and dreams for our stepfamily are different now. We dream of quality time together as a couple as our children grow up. We hope for future spouses and grandchildren. And we take intentional steps to continue to guide our children through transitional periods into adulthood.

What hopes and dreams do you have for your stepfamily? Do you seek the Lord for steps to achieving them?