Hope and Healing for Single Momsනියැදිය

RELATE: COME ALONGSIDE ANOTHER

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Mindful Minute

There’s a unique connection formed when a glance, a word, or a story unlocks a memory deep within. When you’ve walked through abandonment, abuse, addiction, betrayal, and the lonely trenches of single motherhood, you occasionally sense a familiar heaviness in others.

While we can’t fix the pain, we can be present.

The truth is, some burdens are too heavy to carry alone. God never intended us to suffer in silence or heal in isolation. Instead, He tells us to bear one another’s burdens, not by solving their problems, but by standing close enough to steady one another under the weight.

You may not feel like you have much to offer. But your story—your survival—can become a lifeline to someone who feels like they’re drowning.

You are uniquely equipped to walk alongside another woman through her distress, even for a brief time, because you’ve lived it.

• Who understands the ache of waiting for child support that never comes?
• Who can relate to the quiet despair of signing court documents that divide your time with your child?
• Who knows the mix of shame and courage it takes to attend school events alone, facing the questions and sideways glances?

Another single mom does. You do.

You have a pretty good idea of what the exhaustion behind her smile feels like, or the sting of tears hiding behind her grocery store sunglasses. Sometimes, a shared “I see you. I’ve been there too,” is fresh air for both of you.

When we relate to others through our pain and healing, we are doing holy work. We are fulfilling the law of Christ, not by preaching, but by being present.

You don't need to be fully healed to help someone else. Sometimes the best guides are those just a few steps ahead on the same path.

Relating to others through our upheaval is not about wallowing in pain, but building bridges of compassion. Seeing potential in ourselves and others instead of pain. God uses our brokenness to create connection. In bearing another’s burden, we find our own burden lightened.

So don’t wait to be perfect. Don’t wait until everything is sorted. Listen to God’s gentle voice as He continues to affirm your priceless value in His eyes. On occasion, He may bring another to your attention and provide a small nudge. In that moment, a shared “Me too,” between you and another struggling can brighten the day.

If God prompts you to reach out, do it. Send the text. Drop off the meal. Listen without trying to fix. Offer prayer when words fall short. Be near.

You once needed that too.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being close to the brokenhearted. Thank You for seeing me in my pain and never turning away. Lord, help me to walk with others who are hurting, not as someone with all the answers, but as someone who understands. When I feel small or unqualified, remind me that my presence can be the miracle someone is praying for, in the same way I still pray for someone to come alongside me. I want to walk with You and walk with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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If you’d like to continue your healing journey beyond these 8 days, PeggySue Wells and Rose Ann Forte (co-authors of this devotional) each have resources to walk with you further. The 10 Best Decisions a Single Mom Can Make, written by Pam Farrell and PeggySue Wells, offers encouragement and wisdom especially for single moms walking through heartbreak. And if the stress you’re carrying has led to struggles with substances or other life-interfering behaviors, Rose Ann Forte’s books provide practical, Christ-centered guidance for finding freedom and renewal.

• The Plans He Has For Me
• Prepare to Quit
• Transformed by His Promises

You can explore them here: https://choosefreedom.today/books/