Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to learn a little of the background of my journal. I never intended to have a blog, but my dear friend Peggy encouraged me to do so. I had to learn how to design blogs anyway for my website designing business, so I took the plunge and tried it. I had always enjoyed writing and found that I loved blogging very much. I have been blogging since around the summer of 2006.
While I deeply want to encourage all women in our daily lives, one of the most important things to me is to encourage single mothers with some things that I wished were said to me when I first became single again, things that I desperately needed to hear. Many times I felt (and still do) like I was floundering for solid ground. I want to give these mothers hope that things will indeed be alright (How I needed someone to sincerely say “it will be ok”!) and that God hasn’t forgotten them. I want to help them to understand that God truly has a plan for their lives, a plan for good. (Romans 8:28) I want to do some good out of all that I have been through. I also hope that single moms will find a place here where someone simply understands. Sometimes knowing that someone understands means everything.
The purpose of this blog is not in any way to provoke pity for myself or my family. Although we have certainly crossed through some raging rivers and endured some horrible storms, God has profoundly blessed the girls and I, and we are walking on the other side. While we still struggle at times, and sometimes more than others, we have been very blessed. Now my heart’s desire is to speak out for other single moms—to be their voice—and to do all I can to help others understand them. It is my hope that readers will get a glimpse of how hard it can be as a single parent, and then will in turn reach out to single parents where they are. Many times, single mothers feel very isolated, vulnerable, misunderstood, and hopeless. They have enormous needs in almost every magnitude. It is so hard to be a single parent, and one simply cannot understand how it feels unless they have been there. To get just an idea, sit down and really think of all your spouse does for you and your children. Single mothers have none of that kind of help. When I share things, it is not because I feel sorry for myself, but simply to share how things really are.
I do believe that mothers should stay at home with their children, no matter the situation or children’s ages, for the children’s sake, the home’s health, our nation’s future, and to honor the Word of God (Titus 2). I also believe churches/Christians should do everything they can to help single mothers stay home with their children and to help give them a Christian education, either by homeschooling or Christian schooling.* I realize that many Christians do not feel this way and that’s ok. I love my fellow Christians and respect them where they are. God has shown me that I have to obey Him, and He will provide for us, even though others don’t understand. God has raised up others who do share our convictions to help us along the way. God has taught me (and is still doing so) to depend on Him and not look to others, even though He uses others to be His hands and feet and to meet our needs.
After reading my journal, I hope that no one comes away feeling judged by me, because that truly is not my heart. I have both very close family members and friends who don’t homeschool or send their children to Christian schools, or stay home full-time, and I dearly love them and don’t look at them as my enemies. We have sweet fellowship with each other and genuine interest in each others’ lives—even the parts we don’t have in common. I hope that all readers will understand my heart, that we may disagree, but you are still my friend, and I still respect your personal walk with the Lord. I respect your ability to follow the Holy Spirit for yourself. As our Amish and Mennonite brothers and sisters say, “I’m not offended by you.”:) I hope you are not offended by me either.:)
December 2009
*I do not believe that a church should be the sole income for a single mother for life; however, I do feel churches/Christians should provide anything she and her children need until she becomes self-sufficient, working from home or in a part-time job, in order to raise her children herself, despite the circumstances.
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