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.

As mothers, you are in a unique point of power and influence- in a good way. Your child views you as their hero, their friend, and their confidant. And, as such a position, I whole-heartedly feel that parents are in the prime position to teach and emulate health.

Arguing with my parenting decisions and questioning my methods are favorite hobbies among my children. With four sons ranging from age 5 to 19, there are plenty of opportunities for me to practice training kids to be wise adults.

I’ve never been one of those gals who has a “word” chosen for each new year. But one day several months after a new year had started, a word hit me out of the blue…

I don’t believe there is anything in this world that can bring so much joy to our lives like parenting. But, with this joy can also come great pain, discouragement and insecurities like never before.

As a friend sat crying in my arms, I was again reminded of the brokenness of this world, and how the Father wastes no hurt, no trial, no suffering, when we are committed to His glory.  I listened with my heart and responded with “I know. I’m sorry,” over and over again. Life threw her a curve and I happened to be someone who understood the pain.

One of the most painful times in my life was facing the reality that my “Barbie dream house family” was likely not going to stay together. The announcement of my husband wanting a divorce left me hemorrhaging all over!