WALKING THROUGH AS A SINGLE MOTHER?
WALKING THROUGH AS A SINGLE MOTHER?
As life doesn’t present everyone with ideal things God created for men especially married life because of the fall of man, yet God has abundantly provided and still providing remedial means to solve many problems sin and evil forces are causing for men, in essence, Christ came because of those anomalies. The original plan of God is for couple to marry and live together for life till death do them part but it is not always so. There are several things that result to single mothers or single fathers though single mothers are more pronounced more than single father, both sides need encouragement and divine help to sail through the ugly experience. Some become single mothers as a result of divorce, death of either husbands or wives, artificial insemination as a result of not seeing the right man or ugly desire to be independent without marriage bond and other things. But whatever the cause, the first thing is to forgive yourself and pray to God to forgive you and if you still have the power to reconcile to your husbands in case of divorce, you can do it. True love is all about forbearance, tolerance, understanding and Christlike forgiveness. That will salvage you from carrying the load that is meant for two people to carry. And many at times, what we see in our partner that need to be corrected is very much present in us and if only we can walk on ourselves, our marriage will be heaven on earth. And if it is because of the bereavement of the partners, the Living God is your comforters and He will carry your burden as you roll it on Him. He is the ever faithful Father who care for as many that seek Him wholeheartedly. And whatever predisposed you as a single parent, children are left for you to care of all their needs which can be tasking and somehow frustrating at time.
Encouraging Testimony Of Single Mothers
As a single mom, you may feel the odds are against you. But with the help of God, you can raise up the next generation for Christ
I’ve been a single mother for 15 years. I used to think I was alone in my endeavor to raise my daughter without a husband, but I’ve learned there are many other women who are trusting God to be a “father to the fatherless” (Palm 68:5). In fact, the U. S. Census Bureau says that in the year 2000 there were 10 million single moms in America, many of whom were born-again believers.
There are a myriad of reasons why a growing number of women find themselves the head of a one-parent home. Some have endured the pain of divorce, the death of a spouse or a pregnancy outside of wedlock. Others are still married but separated from their mates. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: God’s faithfulness to single moms can be seen in Scripture and is evident in the lives of mothers and their children today.
A Biblical Example
(Genesis 21:9-14) tells the story of a tumultuous family problem involving Isaac, the son God promised to Abraham in his old age, and Ishmael, his son born to Hagar. Though Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was the one who originally suggested that her husband sleep with her maid, she later insisted that the son produced by that union and his mother be “cast out” of their home. As a result, Hagar became the first single mother mentioned in the Bible.
Early in the morning, Hagar left the place she and her son had called home for many years. It was a difficult departure. Nevertheless, she gathered up her belongings, took the boy and headed for the door.
Abraham was devastated by the thought of never seeing his son again, but Sarah insisted that the woman and the boy leave. With God’s consent, the two were sent away for good.
In biblical times, it was customary for a woman who was barren, as Sarah was, to offer her maid as a substitute to conceive children. This practice was important because the birth of a son insured the perpetuation of the family, and it also provided an heir to the inheritance left by the father.
Under normal circumstances, Sarah’s actions would have been acceptable. But a desire to ‘help’ God keep His promises and a lack of trust in Him to perform His word—that Abraham would be the father of many nations and that through his seed all nations would be blessed—caused Sarah and Abraham to take matters into their own hands.
(Genesis 21:14) says Abraham placed the strap of the water bottle on Hagar’s shoulders. The Greek word for shoulder is shek-em’, which means “place of burden.” Hagar was left with the overwhelming responsibility of raising a child alone without the provision and protection of a father.
Imagine Hagar (the Hebrew translation of her name means “flight”) wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba. The comfort of the morning air was no doubt snuffed out by the sweltering heat.
With no water to drink and no well to draw from, death seemed imminent for the boy and his mother—until God intervened.
“Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation,” God said to her (Genesis 21:18). Today, God is still reaching out to single mothers. He’s offering to be a never-ending source of love, strength and provision as we face the challenge of raising God-fearing world-changers for Him.
After interviewing several mothers for this article, I discovered that the challenges single moms grapple with are universal. We face the tasks of providing housing, buying a car, pulling double shifts at work, feeding our families and paying for health care, all while trying to lead an emotionally healthy life. Many perform these functions without the help of family or friends.
But I believe single parents who are Christians have an advantage over those who don’t know God. Why? Because He hears us! Ishmael’s name meant “God hears.”
The Father demonstrated His commitment to Abraham when He responded to Ishmael’s cries and spoke to Hagar through the angel of the Lord. “And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, ‘What ails you, Hagar?'” (Genesis 21:17). He provided well of water for her and meant her need. The same God is still in heaven, hearing the prayers of as many single mothers that call on Him for the need of their lives and children.
We Are Not Alone
God desires to have a relationship with us. It was never His intention for single moms to go through life alone. Oftentimes, it is during wilderness experiences such as Hagar had that we are able to hear Him clearly.
I can remember my trip to the doctor for what I thought was a follow-up visit for a terrible bout with strep throat. During my examination, I told the nurse I had been experiencing dizziness and feeling somewhat queasy. She asked if I would take a pregnancy test just as a matter of routine. I agreed, but when she returned with the results, I was speechless.
When I was a mother raising children alone, I possessed one certain Bible. I wrote notes in the margins beside verses that pertained to my circumstances, asking God to apply that truth to my need. My Bible was my diary (much like the little pink one with a lock on it that I hid under my pillow when I was eight years old). Then when I married Rich 25 years ago, I purchased another Bible, one accompanied with fresh-smelling neon markers.
For some reason, I picked up my single-mom Bible the other day, the dusty one tucked away on my office bookcase. I glanced through its pages, and it warmed my heart to read the highlighted Scriptures that had helped me through daily bumps in the road. As I was viewing my comments beside select verses, I felt a butterfly flitter in my stomach, and it dawned on me… God’s Word is living because its author is living. YES, it is timeless! Those words STILL touched the sensitive places in my soul. Addresses change, children grow up, life moves on, but God’s Word always soothes our fragmented places. His Word, regardless of season or age, cannot deny its projected purposes: to ease, to chaperone, to invest, to showcase the Father’s care.
So what’s your greatest concern today? Worry about a child? Financial lack? Sadness over a family situation you can’t fix? Tell the noise in your soul to be still. The verses in my treasured single-mom Bible want to jump off the pages and pacify your tender spots. God speaks. God comforts. God beckons.
“Single mom, lean on me with your entire weight. It transforms anguish into respite and peace.”(Isaiah 26:3)
“Single mom, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”(Romans 15:13)
What resurrection means for single mothers
“Single mom, you grapple with unsettledness; turn to me. I satisfy cravings in scorched places.” (Isaiah 58:11)
“Single mom, review my promise. I began a virtuous work in you and even now I am perfecting and making good use out of your complications. (Philippians 1:6)
“Single mom, do not feel frazzled. I will keep your life together.” (Psalm 4:8)
“Single mom, you think you will never get over this, but I rebuild the heartbroken and dress their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
“Single mom, do not worry. I shall supply all that you need that I might accomplish my plan for you.” (Philippians 4:19)
“Single mom, take heart. You are ready for anything through my risen power that is infused in you.”(Philippians 4:13)“Single mom, you feel it’s out of my reach, but nothing is impossible with me.”(Matthew 19:26)
“Single mom, do not lose heart. Though your outer self is wasting away, your inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for you an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as you look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”(2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
God on the Ever Present Help today and form intimate relationship with Him, He is the only One that can help you through and can equally send people to way to comfort, assist you and render whatever help you need.
Pray this prayer, Father, I thank you because you are ever ready and willing to render help and comfort people like, Father I roll all my cares, anxieties, needs on you today, meet me at every point of my needs. Help me to raise my children to the glory of you name and Kingdom.
Reference: Pam Kanaly
