For many years I have recognized my mom on Mother’s Day. Some years I did better on the “recognizing part” than others. I grew up in a “nuclear” family with parents who loved each other and their kids. That’s the way it was with most of my friends too so I don’t have much experience with Mother’s Day and single moms. Unfortunately, this Mother’s Day will be a lot different for a particular friend of mine. Her husband has given himself over to all kinds of sin and has officially abandoned her and the two kids. This situation has helped me understand just how sad Mother’s Day can be for single moms going through tough times.
For those single moms (who didn’t choose to be single parents) Mother’s Day can be a very sad occasion. Especially when the covenant of marriage has been broken and voided by the spouse. Yet it is a reality for many. It may not seem like much but I hope and pray all single moms cast their worries, cares, and hurts upon Jesus because He cares for all of them (1 Peter 5:7). I can only guess the thoughts of a hurting single mom. Perhaps they are something like “You have no idea all the clothes that need to be washed, I have to pick the kids up from school at 3pm, my youngest was up sick all night, I am completely out of money to provide for my kids, etc.”
It is important for a single mom to take a short amount of time each day to pray and spiritually invest in herself, laying those burdens on Jesus because He cares. There may be a temptation to feel guilty for not thinking about the current to-do list but don’t. Jesus invites all who are heavily burdened to depend on Him. God’s help and miracles come in many different ways. He can be trusted to make provision for those who belong to Him. His timing, promises and character will never be anything other than perfect.
I would imagine single moms probably struggle with finding time to read their Bible too between work and raising the children alone. I’m sure that some days the single mom is just glad the day is over. But drawing close to God isn’t a task. It’s an opportunity. Prayer and Bible reading invite the Holy Spirit into your daily routine. Making time for God no matter what obstacles the busy day has in store demonstrates a dependence on Him as provider, sustainer and deliverer. There is nothing more important for anyone than making God the day’s top priority.
Struggling moms might find the following passages of Scripture to be very beneficial:
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5
The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
I can do all things through Christ who give me strength. Philippians 4:13
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Drawing from the Word of God provides strength and grace for each day. Moms who put God first by keeping their eyes fixed upon Jesus are an encouragement to all and in particular single moms. Faithfulness is infectious. God is working in the world’s mothers for His glory. As some go through the trials that come with being a single mom, please know that God is the solution to brokenness. I pray moms everywhere, whether happily married or painfully single, lean on Jesus and remember His promises. He wants all to know His love this Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day!
