the wonderfully difficult job a man will ever have!

 

"I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be." ~Brad Paisley

"Being a stepdad involves dynamics that simply don’t exist for other dads. Every stepdad must leap over unique hurdles and challenges in his quest to be a real dad."

Yesterday my 18 year old son came up to me with a question. I gave my answer, (being a mom, it's almost always "no!") and then my husband weighed out his response. Of course, it was the opposite of mine! But as I sat and listened to the two of them debate their reasons, I felt a warmth inside. I was so glad that he was there to handle this and give his sane answer. I tend to shoot from the hip. I'm a mom, this is what I do . He tends to gather facts, rationalize and respond appropriately. He is also my son's step dad. I think my son benefits from this relationship so much. He leans on him when he needs support and the hubby is glad to give it.

I think also of other stepdads who step in to fill that role. My hubby was raised by a stepdad who he is proud to call "dad." I think of Joseph the carpenter, who also had huge shoes to fill, being the stepfather of Jesus. What the child learned at Joseph's side, he carried over into his adult life. In today's world, where kids need all the help they can get, it is encouraging to see adults reaching out to kids in a positive way. The ripple effect of that alone is priceless! Your assignment today: reach out to a child. Be that mentor they need. The results are heavenly!