“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Our weekly Christian devotional
“Hold on, let me close the door…” Becky rolled her eyes. She slammed her door, tossing her body onto her beanbag in one swoop.
“I swear my stepmom is always listening! She’s so annoying…” The teenager made sure her voice was loud enough for Carol to hear.
“That kid has a lot of nerve…”
The laundry basket in Carol’s hands vibrated as she held herself back from kicking down the door.
It has only been a few months since she and her new husband, Bill returned from their honeymoon in paradise. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long before the ominous dark clouds of ‘Hurricane Becky’ awaited the couple.
Becky was Bill’s daughter from a previous marriage. Whether Carol liked it or not—the teenager was now officially part of her everyday life. As Carol quickly learned, navigating through instant parenthood wasn’t as simple as reading a few books.
It seemed the minute she had Becky figured out, her ever-changing moods would dramatically switch gears–the young teen was beyond impulsive and unpredictable!
And it wasn’t like this new mother wasn’t trying! Countless efforts were made to forge a relationship with the defiant sixteen year old. Carol took Becky shopping for running shoes, taught her how to bake her famous lemon bars and even hosted a sleepover for Becky’s girlfriends. But, within hours of getting whatever it is she wanted, Becca always returned to her mocking and rebellious ways.
While folding the teenager’s laundry, every hurtful word and unkind deed seemed to rise to the surface of Carol’s conscience. Anger festered like a boiling pot as the new bride ruminated about how ungrateful her stepdaughter was.
“Becca never even mumbles a thank you! She just shrugs her shoulders and holes up in her room.”
While Carol’s thoughts began spiraling out of control, Matthew 5:44 came to mind. At first, she wanted nothing to do with it; all she really wanted was to do was give her stepdaughter a piece of her mind! But, something compelled her to break down to God instead:
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Right now, I feel like my circumstances are so unfair. I’m doing all the right things and I’m not getting results!
Lord, are you seeing this? Do you even care?
Where am I supposed to go from here?
I want to have a home that honors you, but there is no respect for me as a leader of it.
Show me how to discipline in love, not anger. Help me to be patient and kind when things aren’t going smooth.
Show me how to build my home. I don’t want to tear it down with rash and foolish words that I won’t be able to take back. Give me the self-control I need to handle things the way you want me to.
As I dismantle the walls of anger, bitterness and resentment, I give you permission to build our home on the foundation of your love, peace and patience.
I need you, Lord. I can’t do this without you. I’ve tried many times and have totally failed. Today, I’m ready for a real change. I’m ready to let you lead the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses: Proverbs 14:1, Matthew 5:44
Please check back and see what we have for you next week!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan
