Defining Smotherhood: What Does It Mean to Step-mother?

What does it actually mean to be a smother?

Being a stepmother can take on a variety of shapes. My flavor of smom-ing is a re-married, stepmother of two boys with no biological children (usually this last part includes an "of my own"...more on that later.) You might be a smom that has stepchildren and biological children in a blended situation. Whatever your particular variety, the aspect of supporting a spouse with his own children looks unique in each home. To be a smother means you act as a wife and caregiver, cheerleader, and supporter to a family that you chose.

The element of choice is an important factor in our society - everyone wants the right to choose. As a smom, I had the opportunity to choose to marry my husband and his two boys. It was always a package deal. And I'm so grateful. That's what God did when He sent Jesus for me - He chose me to be part of His family. God loved me so much, He made a way for me to be in His family forever by giving Jesus, His only Son, to make a way for my adoption into the Kingdom. Choosing to love is an amazing gift and being loved by the choice of others is miraculous.

When I think about the love of God in my life, I can do nothing but show love for the family I also chose to join in my life. On the days when choosing to love seems more difficult, it's even more important to remember that God loved me first and He has all the love I need to give to others.

Here are a few verses that I meditate on about choosing to love:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

What does smotherhood look like in your life?