Whew!  You finally got the kids in bed.  Now what should you do?  The dishes need to be done, the laundry needs to be folded, and everything is in need of straightening-up for the night.  How does anyone sleep with such a mess?  It never seems there is enough time in the day to do everything.  Being a single mom you feel overwhelmed, not sure anyone really understands the loneliness and the struggles of your life.  You're so exhausted, you don't even feel like thinking about anything. Tonight, you will curl your fatigued frame into an infantile shape on your unmade bed, a pile of laundry atop the covers, and you will sleep.  

Do you ever feel like this?  As if you are all alone in your struggle?  Looking at the landscape of life, do you have the false impression that two parent homes have it easy—no problems, no worries, and smooth sailing like Beaver Cleaver?  Come on, let's get real.  It is difficult to raise children in the world we live in, whether you have two parents at home or ten, but even if you feel like you're on your own, don't worry. You're not alone. 

Remember the movie "Mary Poppins"?  In the movie she sings that great tune we can all get stuck in our heads, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down…"  You might consider humming a few bars as you zip through these next few paragraphs.  A single mom once said to me, "Single parents get too much advice."  I guess this is possible, but how about a bit of Godly counsel from someone who's been in your shoes?  Just take it like a spoonful of sugar.  Here are three suggestions that will encourage you in your season of being a single parent.

First, change your perspective.  They say there are two types of people in the world.  Those who see the glass as half empty and those who see the same glass half full.  How do you see your situation as a single parent?  Do you see the good in it or the bad? Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  So many single parents think to remarry is the answer to their problems, but a former pastor of mine, David Bruins, once said to me "To remarry to the wrong person for the sake of remarriage, thinking it will solve your problems as a single parent, would only create more new and difficult problems and would most likely make things worse."  Regardless of why you find yourself as a single parent at this time in your life, you can be assured it did not take God by surprise, and He is still working all things together for His ultimate purpose in your life and the lives of your children.

To be a single parent in the will of God is better than seeking to be married outside of the will of God, no matter how hard it is. Imagine if God called you to Africa.  As difficult as the journey may be that lies ahead, there would be no other place you would rather be.  I don't know, you might think going to Africa would be easier—we each have our own difficulties to bear, but these trials are what God uses to teach us to trust Him.  So, whether you are called to go to Africa, or to be a single parent, remember that His perspective is the best perspective. 

Second, have faith.  As single parents, we all wonder, can my children be successful financially, emotionally, and spiritually?  The answer is yes, but not because we are such great parents, but because God is not limited by our inadequacies.  Joshua 1:7-8 says, "Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."  

Remember to always encourage your children in their own personal faith.  Something I have implemented recently in my home is each of my children have their own personal devotionals.  I am also praying over them that God will develop a hunger for Him and His Word in their hearts.  My oldest daughter is going to do a Bible Study on Tuesday evenings this summer.  She made this choice on her own initiative.  I believe as we walk by faith in the promises of God. We can know these truths are for all of us who are in Christ.  At the same time we are teaching our children by example to turn to God. 
 
Third, ask for wisdom. Navigating through important financial, social, and spiritual decisions for your family can be an overwhelming responsibility for a single parent. Playing the role of both mother and father is difficult to say the least.  It is important to remember you are not going through this alone. God is with you, and He is willing to share His wisdom with you.  James 1:5-6 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without favoritism, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."  Ask of God and believe God. He wants to answer these kinds of prayers. 

In the above verses, we can see wisdom along with faith brings stability—one of the most difficult things to establish in a single parent home.  But this stability is not out of reach if only we will humble ourselves and pray.  Prayer and the Word of God are our main sources for wisdom. The book of Proverbs is a great reference for wisdom seekers, particularly chapters 8 and 9.  Proverbs 24:6 says, "Through wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established."  Continually seeking God's wisdom will increase your faith enabling you to rest in His ability to lead you in right paths.

God also uses other people in the Body of Christ to pass on wisdom, so we must be willing to listen to others. Proverbs 1:5 says, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel."  It is important to listen to the advice and counsel of other parents, single and married, so that you may gain from their wisdom.  Consider asking an older mom to mentor you or setting up a time to meet with another single parent of the same gender to hold each other accountable in your parenting and spiritual growth. 

If we will cover our families in the promises of God, prayer and continue in faith, then we will be successful in parenting our children.

<Reference : FamilyLife>