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 pens.
For some reason I picked up my single mom Bible the other day, the dusty one tucked away on my office bookcase. I glimpsed through its pages. It warmed my heart to read the highlighted scriptures that 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? Shhhhh, 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.
Beloved, lean on me with your entire weight. It transforms anguish into respite and peace. Isaiah 26:3
Beloved, you grapple with unsettledness; turn to me. I satisfy cravings in scorched places. Isaiah 58:11
Beloved, why stew? I am your asylum, a present accommodation in times of distress. Psalm 41:6
Beloved, 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
Beloved, no need to feel like no one notices. I make a home for the lonesome at heart. Psalm 4:8
Beloved, you think you will never get over this, but I rebuild the heartbroken and dress their wounds. Psalm 27:13-14
Beloved, do not worry. I shall supply all that you need that I might accomplish my plan for you. Philippians 4:19
Beloved, take heart. You are ready for anything through my risen power that is infused in you. Philippians 4:13
Beloved, you feel it’s out of my reach, but nothing is impossible with me. Matthew 19:26
It was true when I was a single mom, and it is true today. The Word of God is His very essence dissolved on paper that we might engage in a divine encounter any time of day. I love it when my heavenly daddy steps into my afternoon and fancies my heart with a bookcase surprise.
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.