The hardest job in the world has to be parenting, and it’s even more difficult when there’s just one parent who has to be both mom and dad. Just when you think you’ve got your kid figured out, they enter a new phase, and they up and change. Then let’s add in multiple kids. Each child has his/her own personality, his/her own strengths and weaknesses and require to be loved, talked to, and disciplined differently according to how they receive each of those things. Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it.
I was blessed to be raised in a family with a mom and dad. My children are blessed to be raised in a family with a mom and dad. I cannot imagine trying to fill the role of father and mother. I know single mommas who are relentless and exhausted. I know single mommas who work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I know single mommas who worry and pray over their children while they do the best they can to raise them in a godly environment. To you single mommas I want to wish a Happy Father’s Day. Keep up the good work. Be diligent.
I encourage my single-momma girlfriends to find godly women to mentor and encourage you. Pray for God to provide a rich tapestry of women who will come along side you to support and encourage you. In Titus 2:3-5, we are instructed to have mature women walking, encouraging and mentoring younger women. If you’ve walled yourself off because of all you have been through, God did not design that lifestyle. He didn’t intend for you to have no friends your own age. He didn’t intend for you to learn everything on your own.
For my girlfriends who are not walking this path. Please keep this in mind. These type single mommas can also be very hard to get to know. They’ve been hurt. They don’t trust easily. Sometimes they wall themselves off from others and push others away. It takes great courage to overcome fear. Be patient and love them anyway.
Single-momma girlfriends, if you are not modeling good, healthy relationship with godly women, who is going to model it for your children? Your children aren’t your friends. They are your children. You are their parent. Single-momma girlfriends, you need growing, godly girlfriends that are your age. Pray for God to provide, and He will. Pray for God to give you discernment in the ones you should trust. Pray for God to give you courage to step out from behind the protective wall, so you can be loved on.
I know time is a precious commodity, and you are stretched thin, but we serve a BIG, creative God. He can weave women into your life without you realizing. He may already have. You just have to let them in.
Are they going to mess up? Yes. Will they say something that might hurt your feelings? Yes, but if they are truly growing godly women, it will not be intentional. You must learn to forgive.
The best gift you can give yourself on this Father’s Day is the gift of a godly girlfriend.
You are an amazing woman to shoulder parenting by yourself, but you don’t have to be Wonder Woman and do life all by yourself.