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 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 single-parent families succeed. The Bible says that of him: "The fatherless boy and widow he relieves."  (Psalm 146:9)  Single parents can be certain that God is ready to support them.

A child is entitled to be raised in a 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 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 a 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: A Lone Parent, but not Alone -Sound home management

From the jw.org publication