A Word to Single Parents

“Love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1Pe 4:8 NIV

Are you struggling to raise children on your own? If so, teach them these three principles. As you do, they’ll be reinforced in you. You’d be surprised how many instructors learn while they teach. So: (1) Teach them how to love imperfect people. Let them know that loving is a risk, but it’s worth taking. Hearing you say that will help them to grow up and not become cynical because of what they’ve been through. Explain that when you love people, you must love what’s good and accept what’s still under construction. And it’ll save them heartache if you teach them that sometimes we’ll disappoint each other, and that God’s remedy for this is, “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” (2) Tell them that the future can be better than the past. We are fueled by the past, but fuel only works when it’s combusted into another form. So allow the pain of the past to fuel your future with compassion, wisdom and hope. Many of the people we admire have experienced failure. This year’s winner was last year’s runner-up. So learn from your mistakes and seize the new day. Once you do that, “All things are possible” (Mt 19:26 NKJV). (3) Show them how to adapt to change. When you get stuck in the past, it’s always at the expense of the future. After the initial shock is over and your anger has dissipated, start making plans. Draw closer to God and decide to live again. Don’t get stuck in a stage that was just meant to be part of a process. This too shall pass; let it!

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