One of the most important things that we can do for one another is serving. And the best service projects come from those who have been through what you’ve been through and know the pain. That can be true of cancer ministry or prison ministry or a myriad of other niche ministries. Single moms’ ministry is no different. It is so important that the 15 million single mothers in the United States who are raising 25 million children know that they are loved and cared for and that they have time, talent, and treasures that can impact the Kingdom as well.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
One of the best parts of being in community with other believers is that we are there to encourage one another in our faith. For that single mom friend who feels as though nobody is there, you may be the only source of encouragement for her. She may be so consumed with the circumstances of life that perhaps she’s lost sight of the promises of God concerning her. God will trust you to remind His precious daughter of who they are in the Lord, how wonderful they are and how loved they are by God.
Discouragement will cause us to do one of two things isolate or congregate. Your sister in Christ may avoid church or any similar gathering, such as a single mom’s group, Bible study, etc. Maybe she didn’t feel like she was good enough or that her life is too different to fit in. On the other hand, another single mom may only show up when she feels like her life is so heavily burdened that she can barely function. For her, fellowship with others is just what she feels she needs at that time. In either of those situations, you can be an encouragement. For some of us, encouragement comes more naturally, and others of us have to be more intentional. Ask God to give you a heart for encouraging others, creative ways to do it, and the discipline to make it a daily practice.
What are some ways single moms can be an encouragement to other single moms?
- Visit a single mom. Whether she’s in a hospital recovering or at home, avoiding social activity, you can give her the gift of your presence.
- Send a note to a single mom. A handwritten note to let her know that she is thought of and cared about will remind her that she is not alone.
- Invite a single mom to church. It is said that many people don’t go to church because they haven’t been invited. Your invitation could be one she’s been waiting for.
- Serve a single mom. Could she use a sitter or a meal or her yard cut? Serving a single mom in practical ways is a well-received demonstration of God’s love and concern.
Remember that God created us as relational beings. He places us in a body of believers where we can receive and give encouragement. So as you live in close relationship with other single moms, be ever ready to encourage them and show God’s love through your good deeds.
Who can you encourage today? Who has encouraged you recently that you can thank? What promise from God’s Word can you share with a mom right now? How might God use it?
Jennifer Maggio is an award-winning author and speaker, whose personal journey through homelessness, abuse, and multiple teen pregnancies is leaving audiences around the globe riveted. At 19, Maggio was pregnant for the fourth time, living in government housing on food stamps and welfare. She shares with great openness, her pain, mistakes, and journey to find hope in Christ. She ultimately became an 11-time Circle of Excellence winner in Corporate America. While a vocal advocate for abstinence, and sustaining today’s marriages, Maggio recognizes that single parenthood exists and is passionate about seeing these parents thrive. She left her corporate successes behind to launch a global initiative to see single moms living a life of total freedom from financial failures, parenting woes, and emotional issues. Her passion is contagious, and her story has been used to inspire thousands around the globe. Today, Jennifer works to ensure that no single mom walks alone as the founder of the national profit, The Life of a Single Mom. For more information and resources, visit the website HERE.
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