SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES CAN SUCCEED - A Lone Parent, but Not Alone

"When my children come home and give me a hug and tell me that they love me, that's the best part of being a mother." -DORIS, A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO. 

SINGLE parents can find reassurance in the Bible statement:  "Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD." (Psalm 127:3, Contemporary English Version)  When children are raised  in a single-parent family, they are no less precious in God's eyes.   Our Creator desires to see the single-parent families succeed.  The Bible says of him:  "The fatherless boy and the widow he relives." (Psalm 146:9)  (Note: Our Creator would prefer for the child to have two parents because that is how God planned it to be; but there are rare exceptions.)  Single parents can be certain that God is ready to support them. 

  A child is entitled to be raised in  loving, safe, and secure environment that will allow him to develop physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  It is each parent's duty and privilege to be used by God to train a child. Many single parents have found that success requires diligent prayer, consistent application of Bible principles, and complete reliance on Jehovah.  This is in line with the exhortation found at Psalm 55:22: "Throw your burden upon the Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you."

From time to time, grandparents, local elders, and experienced parents in the Christian congregation may be available to assist a single-parent family to manage trying situations.  True, family members and fellow worshipers can offer  much to support the efforts  of single parents, but the ultimate God-given responsibility rests with the child's parents.  Happily, many single parents have managed  successfully to handle the unique challenges of their situation and raise responsible , well-behaved, God-fearing children.  Awake! spoke with a number  of them.  Here are some of the things such parents have in common.  

Next time: SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES  CAN SUCCEED -A Lone Parent, but Not Alone/Sound home management

From the Awake! magazine