[ampaterry]

Thank you!

Today is step-family day. This day was founded by Christy Borgeld of Grand Rapids Michigan in 1997, and the first celebration of it was a family picnic, which is the recommended method of celebrating this day. This is not a national holiday, at least not yet, as Congress has yet to declare it to be one.

We have come a long way from the stereotype “wicked step-sisters” of Cinderella fame. Statistics tell us that thirty percent of children are currently in step-families, one third of Americans now live in a step family and a full HALF of all Americans will be in a step-family at some point in their lives. This is due mainly to the increased acceptance of divorce in our society. There was a time, many years ago, when people stayed in bad marriages because divorce was simply unthinkable for any reason.

My sister's husband had severe head injury in a car wreck, and had to be committed to a mental institution for the rest of his life. The doctors gave no hope whatsoever for him to ever improve. My sister was responsible for all the medical bills, which there was no way she could possibly pay. She could take bankruptcy, but the bills would immediately start building up again afterward. After a LONG time of soul-searching and tears, she filed for and received a divorce, then took bankruptcy on the medical bills. Years later, she met a wonderful man who loved her and her two kids, and they married, forming the first step-family among my siblings. I pray that all step-families be as solid, loving, and nurturing to each other as this family is.

And, just in case there are any Christians out there that turn up their self-righteous nose at the thought of a day to celebrate step-families, remember these two things:

Christ was raised by Joseph as a step-son; our Lord was in a step-family.

Scripture tells us we should all strive to be step-children:
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (KJV); Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

May God bless each one of you -