I know many step-moms are crying out for God to do a miracle in their step-family. There was a time when I was doing exactly the same. It was late March when one of our sons came home for spring break. In three months, my husband would deploy to South Korea for a year. He asked my son to help him surprise me with a remodel of my closet. I had always dreamed of having an over-the-top closet, complete with chandelier. That is exactly what I got! It was stunning with new wood floors, extra shelves, a custom-made jewelry cabinet, and yes… a chandelier! It made me feel completely loved and spoiled.

Fast forward to the following March, not quite a year later. I was standing in my closet, holding a garbage bag I was using to put my belongings in while tears poured down my face. I couldn’t believe just a short time ago my husband had loved me so much and labored over the trivial task of making my closet so beautiful. Now, because of our step-family situation, our marriage had failed and I was facing a divorce. I had barely been keeping my head above water with full custody of his kids while he was gone. My step-family situation was stressful beyond words, but I thought I was hanging on. Everything had taken a turn for the worse. Seemingly overnight, I was losing my family, my marriage, and my home. After a complete mental breakdown, I found myself in a mental health facility until my family could arrive to help me move. I left with what fit in my car and drove many states away to live in my friend’s 9×13 basement bedroom. I couldn’t comprehend how I had ended up here.

Step-family life is so very hard. Sometimes, there aren’t adequate words to describe it. After I left my home, I lived in a state of numbness. I couldn’t think straight. After weeks of panic, fear, and utter sorrow, I turned to the Lord. In the beginning, all I could say was His name, “Jesus” He answered me very simply, “Be Still.”

I listened. I started reading His Word again. I started praying. I started fasting for my marriage, even though my husband was refusing to talk to me. He kept saying there was no hope. But God was showing me something different. My heavenly Father told me, “It’s time. Go fight for your marriage.” That’s exactly what I did! Hours later, I drove back across the states that separated me from my family to begin one of the greatest fights I’ve ever been through.

It took months of trusting God and being obedient. I had to fight through fear and believe God for a miracle. I followed my husband as the military moved him back to the state we had lived in before. He was still telling me he wasn’t sure we would get back together. But God kept giving me rays of hope. A miracle here, and a miracle there. One of those miracles came when my husband asked me to go look at a house he was considering renting for him and his kids. I was confused- why he would invite me to look when he didn’t think God could restore our marriage? I went with high hopes this would be the day he would ask for us to be a family again. I was not impressed with the house. It didn’t seem like anything special until we walked into the master bedroom. When I rounded the corner to view the walk-in closet, I choked back sobs that threatened to escape my throat. Hanging from the ceiling was the exact same chandelier my husband had hung in my other closet. I knew God was saying, “My beautiful daughter, keep trusting me. This is going to be your home. I’m going to give back what the enemy has stolen, and I am going to heal your marriage.”

I left that house and went back to my tiny basement bedroom. I started thanking God for the perfect sign of hope He had just given me. My husband sent me a message later that day to tell me he had rented the house. He and his kids would be moving in a couple of weeks later. Knowing my family was moving into a house without me was devastating, but I kept praying for the restoration of our family. I believed God would heal my marriage and family.

That day did come and it was one of the most precious days of my life! Our family isn’t perfect. We still have tremendous struggles to overcome. We are praying for victories and great mountains are ahead to climb. But God is in charge of this family! As long as I have breath, I will tell other step-families that my God is still a miracle working God.

Daniel 4:2-3.

I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders the Most High God has done for me. How great are His miracles, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation. He did it for our family, He can do it for yours too! Keep believing. Keep trusting. Keep obeying. Never give up!

Story submitted by LauraBeth, from the Starving Step-mom

Real People, Real Stories, Real God®