The Single Mom Journeyਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 2: So, You are a Single Mom

It was a summer night in 1985. We were living in my hometown in Central Pennsylvania when my husband came home in a drunken rage. He stormed into the house, waking up our three children. When our daughter cried because he had startled her awake, he slapped her across the face. Then, in a moment of anger, he kicked my oldest son, Jerry, my daughter, April, and me out of the house—but for some reason, he kept our nine-month-old baby, Sean, with him.

In a panic, we ran to the neighbor’s house and called my sister, who quickly contacted the police. When the officers arrived, they gained entry into the home and asked my husband to hand over the baby. Shockingly, instead of gently giving Sean to them, he threw him across the room. Praise God, one of the officers caught him safely. The police warned my husband that if they had to return, he would be taken straight to jail.

A few days later, he got on a one-way bus to Las Vegas and never came back.

There I was—a single mom with three young children and no guidebook to follow. As that bus drove away, I was flooded with emotions: shock, fear, rejection, sadness, and so much more. It took me years to fully process everything that happened. But that night, after the bus was gone, we walked to our car and drove home. Life would never be the same.

From that day forward, I did my best. I wasn’t perfect, but by God’s grace, we made it through.

If you’re walking the single mom journey, I want to encourage you—find your contentment in God and God alone. You may feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to move forward, but don’t give up. Stick with it, lean on the Lord, and trust that He will walk every step with you.

In the end, you will not regret it.

Day 2: Challenge

Let’s be honest—being a single mom can feel completely overwhelming at times. The challenges that come with raising children alone can leave you feeling exhausted, discouraged, and even hopeless. You might be asking yourself:

• How will I raise my children on my own?
• How can I afford to do this by myself?
• Who will I talk to when I feel completely alone?

In those moments of doubt and fear, remember this truth: God is always with you.

You may not have others nearby to lean on, but the Lord walks this road with you. You’ve been placed on a unique path, and while it may be difficult, it is also full of purpose. Your role as a single mom is not just a challenge—it’s a calling. Your children need you, and right now, raising them is God’s will for your life.

Once you accept that this is the journey you’re on—and that God has entrusted it to you—it’s time to move forward with determination and trust. You can do this. You are the right person for the job, and by God’s strength, you will not only survive, you will thrive.

No, it’s not always easy or enjoyable. But you don’t have to face it alone. As you prepare your heart and mind for the days ahead, begin to focus on contentment. Ask yourself:

• What are the blessings in my life right now?
• What has God already brought me through or protected me from?
• How can I thank Him even in the middle of this struggle?

Choose to accept the life God has given you, and trust that He has a plan in it all. As Philippians 4:11 (NKJV) says: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

Let contentment fill your heart. Lift your head. You are not alone—and you are not without hope. Now take the next step forward. Get going!

Day 2: Action

Write a list of the things that you have to be content with or thankful for in your life.