Playing with Barbie and Ken as a child and dreaming of my wedding, I didn’t imagine my life would not include the white dress, picket fence, and children. As time evolved, I finally realized at the age of 37 that a traditional family was not in God’s plan for me. He set me apart to live life as a single woman

Have you ever done something and then looking back you thought, how could I have done or said that? Or how could I not have weighed the options and made a better decision? If you’re a mom, you’ve lived long enough to have at least one disturbing regret.  

Recently we hosted Jay Millar, founder of The Virtual Dad, on our Single Momcast. During our discussion, we talked about the following article. We felt like it would be a good addition to our blog content too, so we’re reprinting it below. 

Am I the only one that feels this way, or have you noticed, too? THESE ARE HARD TIMES! Not exactly a positive way to introduce a blog, but sometimes I just have to write what’s heavy on my heart.

A few years ago I spoke at a conference with the theme “Though None Go with Me.” Once I heard the title, my mind started racing with all that it encompasses. I focused on what it would be like if in my journey and my decision to follow Christ, none went with me.

I’m just so tired of being a puppet on a string, controlled by fear. Can someone please pass me the scissors so I can cut the ties that bind me to this bundle of wires directing my every move?

God is greater than anything. Do you believe that? We’ve probably all believed in God’s power for our friend or family member’s circumstances, but it’s much harder to accept it for ourselves because it’s personal and we’re enmeshed in the situation.

It’s the week before the birth of Christ and life is the same. Merchants peddle their goods. Women sweep the floors of their homes and prepare meals. Priests serve in the temple. Shepherds watch over their flocks. Nothing seems unusual. No whispering winds or notes delivered to doors to alert the Israelites. Daily life continues to revolve, unaware the long-awaited Messiah’s appearance approaches.

Well, single mom, it’s that time of year…CHRISTMAS. Everywhere you look you see festive lights twinkling in the night, Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells, and TV commercials vying for your credit card number. It’s all supposed to be “merry and bright,” but if the truth be known, some of my most hurtful former days revolve around the holiday hoopla. If you’re like me, there are some Christmas memories you’d like to forget. Do you have any of those?

As a single mom, the most uncertain time for me was always the holidays. Sometimes I had my boys; other times I didn’t. Sometimes plans had to change at the last minute because of another person’s planning—or lack thereof. I remember a conversation I had with a friend. She asked me what my plans were for Christmas. I said, “Honestly, I wasn’t sure.” I never really knew if I would have the boys or not until closer to the date. 

Many of us spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family—with relatives we knew well, or distant members. Whatever the circumstance, I’m sure we all have some interesting characters who gather around the table.

I’ll never forget the Thanksgiving at my house on 803 Glenn Drive, Euless, Texas. (And that is pronounced – YOUless, Texas – not USEless, Texas.) Indeed the lessons I learned as a brand new single mom in that house were anything but useless. 

My youngest son takes everything I say literally. He always has. About five years ago I was sitting with him in the drop-off line at school. He gathered his backpack and gave me a hug, and I said, “I love you to pieces.” I said this all the time, and he usually just says “I love you too.” This time though he said back to me, “I actually love you ten pizzas!” Then he slammed the door and ran inside the school.  

You’ve likely chosen to read this blog because you’d be the first to admit, “I’m an emotional wreck at this moment! I’m carrying around a hundred-pound duffle bag without rollers. My life is full of clutter that I wish would go away!” 

I know about that duffle bag. As a former single mom…

If you were like most married women, you never imagined when you said “I DO” that one day it would turn into an “I DON’T.” Maybe you’re the one who wanted out of the relationship, or perhaps you’re the one…

Isn’t it amazing how little it takes to get ourselves all worked up into a “tizzy”? Maybe it’s something as simple as the holidays coming up or us wondering about…

You’re likely reading this blog because you wrestle with a situation that will not, I said WILL NOT, leave you alone! I call it your ‘this’ – that one thing that you simply cannot get beyond.

Faith is common sense and improvisation. Whether on the foreign mission field, in a church service, at our places of work, or in navigating the joys and struggles of parenthood, God leads us places and calls us to do things we never expected.

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.

It’s not often in today’s world that you hear someone talk about a desire to be “meek”.  More often we hear how we are to be bold, strong, and willing to battle just about anything to get what we want.  It seems that the world tells us that the purpose in life is to conquer anything before us to move up and be better.