Nobody wants to be negative on Mother’s Day. After all, it’s a day of celebrating being a mom and letting the kids dote on you. (Well, maybe they will.)
For me as a single mom, Mother’s Day was the hardest day of the year. It reminded me that I was alone in this parenting venture. Come to think of it, never had the word “single” mother felt so poignantly painful. Some of you might feel the same way. You might have a broken relationship with a child, or sadness because there’s not a significant other under the roof. Or you might be struggling with someone’s insensitivity. I remember when I was separated, my former husband sent me a pink corsage to wear while I took the kids to church BY MYSELF. My four- and five-year-old rejoiced, “Oh, mommy! Daddy sent you a present!” What? Was that supposed to make me happy? Well, it didn’t. I detested that pink flower!
But on this Mother’s Day, let’s leave all that behind and celebrate you and your role and rejoice in the long-range benefits in being a mom.
- YOU are the greatest because you are the one who watches out for the well-being of your children. Lord willing, one day they will recognize what you did and thank you.
- YOU are the greatest because you are the one who plans their birthday parties and gets up in the middle of the night to tend to their every whimper. Lord willing, one day they will remember how you brought them chicken noodle soup in bed when they were sick.
- YOU are the greatest because you handle all the responsibilities. Lord willing, one day when they are parents, they will place ten crowns on your head and wonder how you did it alone.
- YOU are the greatest because you are the one who does without for their sake. Lord willing, one day they will commend you for your wisdom and unselfishness.
- YOU are the greatest because you are the one striving to be a godly example—even in the midst of the often difficult teenage years. Lord willing, one day they will say, “Mom, I noticed your strength during those immature days of mine. Thank you for never wavering in your faith.” (Yes, they are watching.)
Beloved single mom, I don’t know what this Mother’s Day holds for you, but rest assured, you are NOT wasting your efforts laboring as a mother under God’s umbrella. You are a hero! Webster’s defines such a person as someone admired for their noble qualities.
Keep up the great work! Slap on that pink corsage with a smile for the kids’ sake. And remember, seasons come and go, but you will always be their mama. So wear it proudly.
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.