by Gayla Grace | May 8, 2018 | Blog, Grace
As stepparents, we often feel defeated in our circumstances. We play out our role the best we can, but it doesn’t seem good enough. Relationships stagnate. Disharmony rules. Tempers flare. Guilt follows. We beat ourselves up for the discord in our home. We allow Satan...
by Gayla Grace | Jun 26, 2014 | Blog, Grace, hope, stepfamily marriage
She had been wronged. Pornography had invaded her home and her husband couldn’t seem to give it up. Tears puddled her eyes as she described her feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and hopelessness with his addiction. But she wasn’t ready to quit. She had...
by Gayla Grace | Apr 8, 2014 | attitude, Blog, co-parenting, Grace
I’m leading a workshop at our Stepmom Retreat this week-end on Parenting Between Two Homes. I found some great information in Tammy Daughtry’s book, Co-Parenting Works, on how to identify your co-parenting style and find success as you co-parent. Daughtry...
by Gayla Grace | Dec 11, 2013 | Blog, Grace, stepfamily holiday tips
I cringed with guilt as I watched my son pull a uniform shirt out of the dirty clothes to wear to school. Ugh – how had I failed to get the laundry done? I’m overwhelmed some days during the holiday season. I can’t keep up with where I’m...
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 | Jan 30, 2013 | attitude, Balance, Blog, conflict, Grace, stepfamily relationships, Uncategorized
It’s easy to think we must be perfect in our stepfamily interactions and make huge steps every day to strengthen our relationships. But that isn’t true. Small steps on a regular basis can result in huge dividends with your stepfamily. Here are ten easy...
by Gayla | May 31, 2012 | Blog, Faith, Grace, stepfamily relationships, Uncategorized
I’ve been nursing a bee sting on the bottom of my foot for weeks. I ignored it at first, thinking it would heal on its own. But it hasn’t. Now, I’m annoyed at the nagging pain I feel when I’m on my feet too long. My sister suggested I...
by Gayla | Mar 15, 2012 | Blog, Faith, Grace, stepmother role
I’m posting a devotion today that I wrote for NIV devotional contest for Mom’s. Hope you find it helpful. 🙂...
by Gayla | Apr 29, 2011 | Blog, Faith, forgiveness, Grace
“I’m failing my International Business class,” my stepson Payton relayed to me through tears. “It doesn’t matter how much I study, I don’t do well on Ms. Cantrell’s tests and I’m afraid it’s too late in the...
by Gayla | Mar 10, 2011 | attitude, Blog, boundaries, conflict, Grace, love, take care of yourself
Angry. Humiliated. Disgruntled. I left our church choir rehearsal with a flood of emotions circulating through my mind. As a piano accompanist, I had been belittled in front of the choir. It wasn’t the first time it had happened but I vowed it would be the last....
by Gayla | Feb 10, 2011 | Blog, Grace, love, stepfamily marriage
With Valentine’s Day upon us, it’s a great time to show your spouse what you appreciate about him/her. And if your spouse is a stepparent, make an extra effort to validate his efforts and the important role he plays in the life of your...
by Gayla | Nov 19, 2010 | Blog, Faith, Grace, Scripture for Stepfamily Life, thankfulness
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight...
