by Gayla Grace | Feb 4, 2015 | Blog, feelings, forgiveness, love
Words from the voice on the radio played over in my head, piercing my heart. “We must dare to love those who hurt us.” The hurt from my gaping wound lay open. A friend I thought I could trust had let me down. I didn’t want to consider that I should...
by Gayla Grace | Oct 16, 2013 | Blog, love, perseverance
My husband and I celebrate 18 years of marriage this week! We consider it worth celebrating because in the early years, we weren’t sure we would make it to our next anniversary! Blending four kids and managing difficult ex-spouses didn’t make for an easy...
by Gayla Grace | Sep 11, 2013 | Blog, expectations, feelings, Grace, love
If you’ve been married or living with a stepchild longer than six months, I’m sure you recognize the truth in this statement. As much as I wish it to be true, loving a stepchild doesn’t happen naturally. I talk to stepparents every day and I hear...
by Gayla Grace | May 13, 2013 | Blog, Faith, love, Prayer, stepmother role, Uncategorized
I love introducing new resources for stepmoms because as you know, if you’ve been a stepmom long, the journey isn’t easy. I’m participating in a blog tour this week and can’t wait to tell you about a new book, Recipe for Joy: A Stepmom’s...
by Gayla Grace | Apr 11, 2013 | Blog, conflict, Faith, feelings, love
I’ll never forget the day my stepson shot back at me, “You’re not my mom, Gayla. My mom would support my decision.” I disagreed on an important decision he was making and voiced my opinion. I chose not to respond to his hurtful words and for a...
by Gayla Grace | Mar 28, 2013 | acceptance, Blog, Faith, love, stepfamily relationships
I’m including a devotional today I wrote recently for stepparents. I hope you find it helpful. “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews...
by Gayla | Feb 25, 2013 | attitude, Blog, character, Faith, love, successful stepparenting
The early morning text surprised me. I don’t hear from my young adult stepson a lot but sensed he needed to talk based on what I read. I picked up the phone and engaged in a lengthy conversation with him regarding his year-long relationship with his girlfriend....
by Gayla | Feb 13, 2013 | Balance, Blog, feelings, love, stepfamily marriage
Have you made plans for Valentine’s Day yet? If not, please do. As a stepcouple, you deserve a night out to celebrate your marriage and enjoy time as a couple.Stepfamily life includes too much time trying to cope with the everyday strain of kid issues, or...
by Gayla | Sep 12, 2012 | attitude, Blog, character, feelings, love, loyalty
“I don’t feel the same way toward my stepchildren as I do my biological children,” a stepmother recently admitted. “I feel guilty when I say that, but it’s the truth.” “That’s okay, ” I replied. “The...
by Gayla | Aug 9, 2012 | Balance, Blog, boundaries, love, stepfamily relationships
My stepson moved from Conway, AR to Austin, TX this past week. After graduating from college, he opted to explore the big-city scene of Austin as a single person. He spent a few days at our house during the transition. The weeks prior to the move, we were in contact...
by Gayla | Jun 14, 2012 | Blog, hope, love, patience, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting, successful stepparenting
My husband, Randy, and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage this year. My youngest daughter, Jodi (pictured) was 2 1/2 years old when we married. I had no idea what an influence my husband would be with Jodi. Jodi bonded easily with Randy from the beginning....
by Gayla | May 2, 2012 | attitude, Blog, love, stepmother role, successful stepparenting
As I continue my stepmom stories from our Stepping with Purpose e-book, I’m including one today from Laura Petherbridge, co-author of The Smart Stepmom. I think you’ll find her story encouraging. “If I’m being totally honest there were times in...
