The Godly Stepparent

“‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ” Matthew 13:55 NIV

As I began my run early yesterday morning, my heart was heavy thinking about my stepdad who had been admitted to the hospital the day before with an infection. “Oh Lord,” I silently prayed. “Please heal Papa. We all love him so much. Please bring him home.” Less than three hours after praying that though, I received a call from the hospital chaplain. “Your mom can’t talk right now Melissa. But she asked me to call you….” The tears began to fall as he went on to deliver the news that would forever change my life. Papa had indeed gone home… to his eternal home. And while I was overjoyed that he was now with Jesus, I couldn’t help but feel a deep and intense sadness. “Oh how I’ll miss you, ” I said out loud. Rather than allowing myself to sink into despair at the thought of never seeing this man I loved with all my heart again though, I chose to thank God for all the ways my stepdad Don (aka Papa) had made it clear that I was not a “step” child to him. For 35 years, Don had loved me and my siblings like his own. So much so that I was often referred to as ‘Don’s daughter’, a title that I loved then and will cherish for the rest of my life.

And you know, when it comes to being a loving and godly stepparent—a position that can change the course of a child’s life—the Bible gives us the example of Mary's husband, Joseph. Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus but he willingly took on the responsibility of raising Him as his own--mentoring, teaching, and loving Him the way a good father does. In fact, Jesus was known as “the carpenter’s son” and was referred to as the brother of James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. Do you just love that or what? Joseph stepped up to fill a position in a way that reaped an eternal benefit for his whole family. 

So whether you’re a parent or a step parent, be a godly example for your children to follow my friend. I can never fully express the impact Don had on my life but I will tell you that he will never be forgotten and I am the woman I am today in-part because of his influence. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for men like Don who model the love You have for your children. Thank You that he was able to walk me down the aisle just weeks before he went home to be with you Lord. I will forever cherish that memory and countless others. Help us to love others in the same way that he did, especially those children that You have placed in our lives knowing that doing so will reap eternal fruit. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!