We are Family
My beautiful step-daughter Dakota has been nominated to represent her sophomore class in the Miss Mary Hardin Baylor Pageant. Richard and I are so excited for her! She is absolutely beautiful inside and out so I think she has a great shot! This awesome event will bring much of her family together this weekend. The nuclear family of today does not look the same as the ones of the past. Today there are many beautiful blended families, and we are certainly one of them. This weekend Dakota will have her Dad, Step-mom, 2 step-brothers, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, 2 cousins, her Mom, step-dad, half sister, and another aunt. What do we all have in common? We all love Dakota and look forward to celebrating her.I am so grateful for Richard and the way he leads out in making this an easy process. After his divorce from Dakotas’s mom, about 15 years ago, he spent a lot of time putting aside his personal feelings and humbling himself in order to spend time with his daughter. Because of this he has an amazing relationship with her. She is without a doubt Daddy's Girl. Through this time Richard also became friends with Dakotas’s new step-dad. (Pictured above visiting her at school) I have to admit when I first came in the picture I didn't quite get it. I had never seen a potentially tough situation done so well. "You go to birthday parties with you ex-wife and her husband?" What made this work for them? It was Richards’s willingness to be selfless and put God in the center of his relationships.
Gods Grace, Mercy, and Redemptive Love can bring beauty to our mess and allows us to set aside bitterness and to extend forgiveness. By our own strength we aren't capable, but through Christ all things are possible. When we have God in our lives we receive the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I love to see the special bond between Daddy and daughter because of the choices he made. I am Blessed to have Richard now leading our family with the same love and care.My boys are getting an amazing example of how to be a Godly man. I have much anticipation for what God will do this weekend in and through Dakota as well as in the lives of all who are present.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13