Why the name "Braided Families"(TM, pending) :
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Definition of a Braided Family: 1. A
home where one or both adults have children from a previous relationship who are creating a Christ-centered identity
for their new-opportunity family.
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The Braided Family option is often the missing link in a family's journey. It supports the whole process
of blending unshared histories through the creation of new shared family memories. It is for those whose desire is to
follow Jesus and for those who believe the Holy Bible is God's perfect instruction manual for mankind. 2
Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness."
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We believe every effort made to read and study the Bible benefits each man, woman, and child. We read about
Jesus' life. Joseph was Jesus' stepfather. We believe God fully understands the stepfamily better than anyone else. We
explain the Braided Family this way:
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A cord of two strands is
stronger than one alone. For this demonstration, don't rush, read slowly. You will need three shoestrings or yarn strips.
If you are coupled with someone, staple a tag with one name at the bottom of each strand. These two strands, wrapped
together, create a rope because they don't stand isolated. They reach with a twisted grasp, wrapping around
to cling to the other one for strength. I like ropes! Let's look at them this way for a minute
- what happens when a rope's two strands (representing a couple) are pulled from the bottom? (The
pulling represents stress related to the inherent, and often complex, challenges step-families face.) So, what happened
when you pulled at the bottom of your rope?
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It unravelled and the two became separate strands again; no longer cleaving one to the other, they
have faced their undoing..
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Now, let us consider the restoration and
strength of God available to His church, the body of believers following Christ this side of heaven. Pick up the
two strands again (the individuals of the couple) and add a third strand with "God" stapled to it
to represent the awesome God we can know personally. What happens when you weave these three strands together? A
braid results. The two strands are brought closer together by the third which has wrapped itself around the two. Do
you see that? So, let's see what happens when stress pulls at the bottom of a braid. Go ahead, give it some tugs and
hard pulls and see for yourself. What happened? A braid tightens when
stress presents itself; even pulling as hard as you can at its ends - 
it just gets tighter - stronger! .
So it can be with God at the center of our relationships. He is able to strengthen
us when we allow Him to go between and around all our circumstances. A key to this success rests
in our thought lives. Your thought life will either lead you places or you can become aware of what your mind is entertaining
and you can direct it; it is somewhat like picking up the television remote.
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Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one prevail against
him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Is your family braided? . .
*Braided
family note: the adversary of our soul's prosperity encourages us to throw a robe of shame over guilt.
What rememdy is there for shame? Shame is a trap that hinders our healing. However, guilt has been dealt with
at the Cross - paid for by the blood of Jesus, the lamb of God. That is the beauty of repentance and relationship vs.
religious requirements for restoration of our relationship to God. If routine, religious acts were enough to restore us, Jesus
would not have died for our sins (that which separates imperfect man from God who is perfect and in all aspects, undefiled).
He is our bridge of restoration, enabling the Father to see us today as we will be! For more on the difference between
shame and guilt, attend a clinic by Dr. Paul Hegstrom.
