Dear Single Mom,

Dear Single Mom,

    Let me start my offering you an apology. Up until the last few years, I was honestly ignorant to the severity of your struggles. I was the girl that said, “Why can’t they just stay together for the kids?” Shame. On. Me. 

     Don’t get me wrong, I know all too well that divorce produces excruciating pain, heartbreak, and long term consequences. Furthermore, the subject is often taboo especially in our churches where so many are affected, but the pain is real.  

     It’s acknowledging defeat. 

     The death of a dream. 

     And the consequences associated with this decision will forever change you and those you love. Divorce should certainly be the last option- when all else fails. 

     When. 

     All. 

    Else. 

    Fails. 

    And unfortunately, sometimes it does. 

    When all else fails and the dust finally settles, you are left with so many broken pieces. You do your best to help your children begin to heal. It's NO fun. It’s dreadful, gut-wrenching pain. And ONLY with the help of the Great Physician, you can gently put one foot in front of the other and walk into “your new normal”. 

     This “new normal” feels like a foreign land. It’s desolate, somewhere that you would never have imagined yourself being, and nowhere you ever wanted to be!

     But this lonely desert is exactly where you have the opportunity to see who God really is! Would this have ever happened if I were still a married mom? I can’t answer that. But this is what I know: When God says, “I Am”- He is! I have had the privilege of sharing and teaching these truths to my boys that I have only experienced while walking this lonely, uncertain road. 

     Both of my boys have matured into handsome, godly, young men. In my opinion, they are wise beyond their years. And I am truly thankful. Their lives bless me daily.  I am forever grateful that the Lord chose me to be their mom! 

        So be encouraged and hang in there, single mom! God loves you more than you know and only wants what is best for you and your children! Hold on to Him and do not let go! I promise He will show you great and mighty things that you did not already know. These aren’t my words- they are His words.(“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3)

       When I was a classroom teacher, Jeremiah 29:11 was plastered above my dry-erase/smart board on a huge three-foot banner that ran the length of my classroom. (Thank you Robyn Horton) It begins one of my most favorite passages:

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and  pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with  all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”     

Jeremiah 29:11-14

     These verses have encouraged me during my darkest days! In spite of the unforeseen detour that my life took, I have an undeniable faith-journey.  And I believe that the best is yet to come! 

     Be encouraged, single mom! Oh, How He Loves Us! He knows right where you are! And He is revealing to you undeniable truths that you may have never had the opportunity to experience without walking this road.  Share these godly truths with your children. Find joy in your journey. You are the daughter of the MOST HIGH! The KING of KINGS is YOUR dad! Smile and wave as you wear your crown, Princess! Your best is yet to come! 

You are in my prayers!

Love your big sister, 

Princess Lucy