About two years ago, when life was as confusing as it gets, I ignored an email requesting personal stories about hearing from God. The same email showed up again two weeks later from another source. After mulling it over a few days, I wrote an unedited response. My brain dump is now published in the book:
Nine Ways God Always Speaks
by Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schuchmann. The book released on April 1, 2009 from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc
When Jennifer asked to use my words, all contributing authors were to remain anonymous. As the release day approached, however, she gave us the chance to reveal our identities and "the rest of the story"—more of God's work in our lives.
If you've read my words in Nine Ways God Always Speaks (bottom of pg.310), you know my story. After years as a widowed mom, I heard an almost audible voice speak to me, telling me that Don would call and ask me out for coffee. Within ten minutes, he called. I listened to the still, small voice, dared a relationship with the newly widowed man, and then found myself entrenched in a maelstrom of craziness I could not understand. What I didn’t know—and what led me to the crazy place—is that blending families is not for the faint hearted. I once read a book by Ginger Kolbaba titled, Surprised By Remarriage. My initial reaction to her work was, “Oh, it can’t be that bad.” A few years later, after I remarried, I met her at a conference and had the opportunity to confess it was much harder than she’d implied. I love my husband. He’s a great man. But blending families is like merging two countries. Think South Africa and Germany; Spain and China; Mexico and Japan. Clashing cultures. Opposing ideals. Truncated traditions. Fireworks. I don't have easy answers. But I've chosen to make my story known in hopes of encouraging others in similar dismay. Second marriages don't often last. But they can. With God’s grace, blending families can navigate channels of adversity and emerge strong.
I plan to add more to this discussion in time. For now, if you’re struggling in a second marriage, don’t give up. Seek Godly counsel. Ask for help. You’re not alone in the battle.
