One thing I learned as a single parent is that children have fears and insecurities when things come to disrupt their routine. When we take a look at the pandemic of 2020, children had to transition from going to a school campus to being taught from home. They went from having their personal space invaded by friends and loved ones to having to be six feet apart. The things which are happening in the world around us, at times, leave our children with unanswered questions and distrust.
However, as followers of Christ we are not left without hope. In reading Jeremiah 29, and the chapters leading up to it, we are reminded that God is with us. Even though, the Children of Israel were in a place of captivity due to their own actions and disobedience, God was still with them. He still loved them enough to be concerned about their future but they had to trust Him in and through the hard place. So how do we establish that trust in our children?
Trusting God For Our Future
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
It is a wonderful thing to bring our children to church where they can hear the word of God, but it is even a greater thing for them to hear and see the word of God walked out in their home. Our homes are the training ground for teaching our children how to trust God through any circumstance. How we walk our faith out when we are outside of the church is what speaks volumes to them.
We have to dive into scripture in order to uncover what it means to teach our children how to trust God and His word - even in adversity.
Trusting God Above Our Own Understanding
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5–6
While raising my children as a single mom, I sometimes felt a weight on me because...there was. When you have the entire household on your shoulders the thought of it can be overwhelming. I thank God for His word, His faithfulness and the church community where I learned to trust him, one day at a time.
In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are commanded to be confident in, be secure in, bold in, and hopeful in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. From the very beginning, we are directed to Jesus - the only one who always has had our best interests in mind and can do anything.
Trusting God For Our Protection
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
While raising my three sons as a single mom, I realized I needed a power stronger than me. I needed a power stronger than my intellect and stronger than my backbone. I needed the one who would be my strong tower when things got shaky and I could not find my way. I trusted in God - not perfectly, but completely. Therefore, I ran into His presence for safety and he never failed. When trouble rises, our children need to see us believe God in it and through it.
In Proverbs 18:10 Jesus is our elevated place. When we enter into His presence we are elevated above every obstacle that presents itself in our life. When our children experience an atmosphere in the home where we reverence God's presence, the protection, and the power of God, our children learn they can run to Him for safety above all else.
Trusting In The Power Of God’s Word
“God is sure of His word, His words will not lose its’ power or fail to accomplish its purpose.”
Matthew 24:35
Many things may fail in this world but God’s word will never fail. Every word of God will effectively accomplish exactly what He intended for it to do. God is intentional and declares the ending from the beginning. As single moms, it is crucial in today’s society that our children see us truly trusting God in every season of our lives. We must remember that believing in God is one thing, but trusting in Him takes a deeper commitment. Trusting Him above our fears, above our doubts, and above all of our insecurities takes prayer, consecration, the studying of His word and applying His word.
In Matthew 24:35 we are reassured of how omnipotent God’s word is. We can encourage our children to trust in God because He has an excellent track record. God has never lost a battle and in Him, we are victorious. Our children are like sponges. They soak up everything.
When we give God the glory for overcoming an illness, loss of a job, or financial woes, our children will learn to do the same. It is great to let them see a victory accomplished by our hands, but it is life changing to let them see the victory by God’s hand.
Trusting God Will Never Forsake Us
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
God asks the question He already knows the the answer to. He has commanded us to be strong. God is saying this is so important that he is commissioning us and charging us to hold fast, to prevail and strengthen places we feel weak. There were times as a single mom that I felt inadequate to handle the challenges of raising three sons and all that came along with it. Thank God I did not allow my feelings to consume me, but I allowed the Holy Spirit and the word of God to be my guide. To be honest, many times I did not know the Holy Spirit was guiding me, but when I look back, I can see more clearly. It’s important for our children to know they can walk in the strength and courage of God even though their flesh may feel weak and little. We can teach our children to trust God in their most insecure places.
In Joshua 1:9, God is calling us to stand strong without fear because He is with us. As single moms, we have the promise of God that He will never leave or forsake us. This is the message we want to display to our children when trials show up at our door. Our children draw strength and courage from us as we surrender to God trusting in His word and being led by the Holy Spirit.
Dear God,
Help us to trust in you with all our heart and all our mind. Help us to teach our children to have peace in you all while trusting the plans you have for their future. Show us how to be Godly parents influencing them to apply your word to their lives. Tune our spirit to hear your voice for strategies on how to display our faith in a way which brings you glory.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
Meet the author
Collette Conner went from being a struggling single mom with three sons to empowering, encouraging, and inspiring other moms to utilize their gifts and talents for the Kingdom. She is a brilliant writer, Ordained Minister, Speaker, Author and Life Coach who is passionate about Kingdom Business.
As founder of Purposed to Succeed, she seeks to help transform the lives of single moms through her empowerment workshops, books, eBooks and workbooks. Collette has been featured on several podcasts, panels, summits and numerous conferences. She is a graduate of Texas Southern University where she majored in Public Affairs with a minor in Journalism.
The Life of a Single Mom is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with hundreds of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served hundreds of thousands of single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.
