Hope Grows - Being a Single Mom 5

Previously, we discussed the need for a single parent to change how they think about their circumstances, who is in control, and who ordained the very lives they are living. Although we attempted to stress that we understood it was difficult, we wanted to ensure we shared practical suggestions for parents to apply to their busy lives. For some single parents the demands of work, commuting, child care, and parenting stretches their time very thin. For some, one more thing to attend to is not practical. Trying to find a counselor, or arrange babysitting is overwhelming. If this is true for you we want to encourage you to persevere. To keep reading and keep focusing on the Lord ‘til He brings a change. A change, whether it be in you, your circumstances, or growth – spiritual and physical to your children.

We do believe the Word of God provides solutions, and for you it may be holding on to the promises moment by moment to maintain a calm and quiet heart when your children are misbehaving and it feels like life is out of control. Remember feelings are not facts. This does not mean your struggle is not real – it is. However, we want you to know the Lord, God is in control. It is hard, it is difficult, but He is present. He is.

To begin to bring about Biblical change we suggest you plan your lunch time break to read a chapter of Scripture, or begin to work through a catechism. As you become prepared in your soul, and your soul is more at rest so will your responses be to your family. Write out key verses on a 3 x 5 card and place it in your car. If your children are old enough you can memorize verses during your commute. If your children are young, you can repeat the verse to them ‘til you have it memorized. What a wonderful way to teach them words, and teach them about God. Consider how the verse applies to your life and write out a prayer, or simply pray. Encourage your children to pray too.

An excellent catechism to work on can be downloaded, and printed for ease of use. Consider the Baptist Catechism available for free at desiringGod.org -

cdn.desiringgod.org/pdf/blog/A_Baptist_Catechism-new.pdf

If you need counseling and soul care, we would be happy to be of help. Please contact us.

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

#singlemom #hope