I recently got a call from an out-of-state newspaper asking to do a phone interview about single mom life and the pandemic. The reporter sounded like he was in his mid-twenties. Although I thought we would schedule a time to conduct the phone interview, he suggested why not pursue the conversation now. So “right now” we did. He asked me a few simple questions: What’s it like being a single mom? What challenges are they facing? What are the solutions?
I don’t know what got into me, but I blurted out single moms are likely one of the bravest and most courageous humans you will find on the face of this planet. I told him…
WHO ELSE can juggle work life and home life, put food on the table, and exercise patience with the children who by their very nature exhaust you?
WHO ELSE can tend to car repairs, fix broken toilets, and somehow find homeschooling options for their kids?
WHO ELSE can press through continual stressors while fearing who would carry the load if they got the virus themselves?
WHO ELSE has enough fortitude to teach the kids character traits even though there’s no other parent in the house to help share the load?
WHO ELSE can tend to the kids’ emotional needs while ignoring their own?
WHO ELSE can summon up enough courage to ask someone to help them buy a washing machine because they’ve had to wash the kids’ clothes in the bathtub?
WHO ELSE can be the top manager of a company and find the time at night to read the kids a bedtime Bible story?
WHO ELSE can seek out a competent village who will partner with them in everyday life?
WHO ELSE can care for children while simultaneously caring for aging parents?
And who does all this? A single mother. Like I said…She’s brave. She’s courageous. She’s strong. And then he asked, “How is she able to do all this?”
I took another breath and replied that many single moms say they are not enough. The job is just too taxing. The truth is, she is NOT enough. NO mother is enough whether single or married. Yet the Bible says that with God, she is more than enough. It’s a partnership, and never will there be a time where she is on her own in raising up great kids. It is God’s will and Spirit that infuses her with energy, wisdom, and power to do it all in his strength. God will send organizations like Arise Ministries to come alongside to offer emotional, physical, and spiritual help. God loves these single moms and will provide for them as they place their faith and trust in Christ and his word.
As I was about to faint from having not breathed for almost twenty minutes, I wrapped it up. My last comments were that above all, people need to recognize that these women are making a significant impact in our world today because with dignity and grace they are raising up our next generation.
So the next time you see a single mom, go ahead. Say well done and thank you.
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.