Where You're Going

To all the single parents.

No matter who you are.

You are enough. You are more than enough.

Your children look at you and they see strength. They see hope. They see promise. You are blessed.

The cancer took their daddy. The car wreck took their mommy.

You can make it. You will make it. You are making it right now.

You remember their late daddy or mommy. You speak with gratitude for the days they were on this earth. And you honor their memory with your words and your actions. And you are enough.

He lives through your daughter. She lives through your son. You reinforce that and reinforce that and reinforce that. They know how loved they are. Because you are enough.

You hate it when people call you strong – because you don’t feel strong at all. So you let your faith carry you. You find strength in God. And that is enough. I honor you.

The divorce made you a single parent.

You were in the right or you were in the wrong or you were both. It doesn’t matter. You are showing up. You are enough.

The kids don’t understand. You carry their sadness and yours. You wonder if you made the right choice. Or you start feeling guilt for your mistakes. But you look to your Creator, accept the grace and healing He’s giving you. And you walk forward. He makes you enough.

You’re the mom who gets them 70% of the time…but now it feels like now you have 700% of the responsibility. But your kids are safe. Your kids are loved. You are enough.

You’re the dad who gets them 30% of the time. You don’t see half your paycheck. Yet you’re supposed to make a safe place for them? But you do. Oh, yes you do! You are enough.

You lead your kids like the full-time dad you are. You check in on them. You pray blessings over them. You show up. You are enough.

You’re distracted by the hostility of your ex.

But you choose to say “no more.” And you treat them with kindness and respect. Because that is the person you are.

You’ve been enveloped by bitterness in the past, but you choose to let that go and cover your ex with honor and gentility and forgiveness they didn’t ask for. Make peace your mission. You can do this. You are enough.

The dad was never there. Never a part of your kid’s life.

But you are not a victim. You are an overcomer. You are honorable, noble and strong. You, single momma, are enough.

You’re working two jobs. You are enough. You’re on welfare. You are enough. You’re living with your parents. You are enough.

Maybe you are the parent who hasn’t been there.

Who hasn’t shown up. Who has been so depressed by the circumstance that you’ve played the victim.

Or maybe you’re the parent who is in the home…but not “really” there. You’re so distracted by life that you’ve checked out of your kids’ lives.

Enough of that!

Today you say, “Never again.” Because in your heart of hearts, YOU ARE their mom. YOU ARE their dad. YOU ARE more than enough.

You’re going to get up. You are going to show up. You’re going to earn their trust and make new memories. And you are going to be the parent you promised to be. 

Because they need us. Our kids need us.

It doesn’t matter our situation. It doesn’t matter our circumstance. It doesn’t matter. All they want is US!

Our kids want our hearts. They want someone to lead them. To show up. To give them grace. To give them guidance. Give them a place to make mistakes and then dust themselves off and try again.

And YOU are just the woman to do it.

YOU are just the man to do it.

You are their parent. You are their safe place. You are their rock. You are their guiding light. And YOU, my fellow single parent, are more than enough!