A few years ago I became a stepfather. There were so many emotions and thoughts going through my mind - mainly the fear of failure. How was I going to prepare myself for the challenges ahead? How was I going to handle this new season of life? As I was going through the season of learning to be a stepfather, my wife and I were blessed with a new baby boy. Now there’s a unique challenge, trying to raise a new child and be present for a teenage stepson. Through this season, God strengthened my patience and understanding. Not necessarily patience with my kids but patience with myself. I began to understand that I may not always get it right, but I could ask God to help me make every decision I was faced with. I began to understand that the way I was raised and disciplined didn’t always work in how I needed to raise my sons. I also began to understand that my words didn’t carry as much weight as my actions. My family getting to see my character lived out each and every day impacts them so much more than I realize. I pray that patience and understanding continue to impact me so I can impact the kids God has brought into my life, so that they can go forth and impact the people around them.

-Matt Henderson, The Lincoln Road Campus