It Was Not Always So

Wendy is home for Christmas!!  I swear I’m like a kid in a candy store.  I’m extatically happy that we are together again. But sadly, it was not always so.

You see, I’m a stepmom.  And I can say with all honesty it’s one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever taken on.  I suspect the only one harder is being a step-kid.  

It’s embarrassing, but I was kind of a wicked stepmother.  I was insecure and sometimes jealous of the attention that Mitch gave to Wendy.  Shame comes flooding back when I think of my childish behavior.  

But God is faithful and good, even when I am not.  I don’t know exactly when it happened, but at some point, I relaxed.  Wendy was never a threat to me.  She was just a kid that needed love like any other kid. By His grace, God has used all three of my girls to teach me lessons that I sorely needed to learn too.

The last eighteen years has been a joy as I’ve watched Wendy become a truly awesome woman.  I’m so grateful she is in my life.  She’s smart and funny and beautiful.  I love those late-night conversations we have after Mitch has gone to bed. I even make the 4-hour trek to visit her without Mitch sometimes! We have our own relationship now and there is a love and a bond between us that I will forever hold dear.  

Today I am grateful for Wendy.  I proudly call her my daughter and I am also grateful that she is my friend.  

Are you a stepmom?  Are you willing to share?  I’m listening at Lifting Her Voice, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.