The Single Mom.

I read the story of Abram in the Bible the other morning, and I smiled for all the single moms.  

God promised him and his wife (in their super super old age) that they would have as many children/grandchildren as the stars.  Sarai laughed and Abram believed.  They had no children, but those child rearing days were far far from over.

However, although Abram believed what God told him, he also felt impressed to take the timing (and the means of carrying out this promise) into his own hands. Don't we all?  I mean, come on. God didn't exactly specify when or who would have the baby, right? 

So what did Abram do?  He got his young slave girl pregnant.  That seemed more logical right? Well, that wasn't God's way or plan at all.  And although Hagar, the slave girl, has a baby boy named Ishamael, God still delivers his promise in the way He intended (God is far from logical!).

So just as God promised, Sarai (the old lady) has a boy named Isaac. Well, darn it.  If Abram was just patient, all would have been well!

Isn't that the truth.

But it wasn't well. Not one bit. Now we have a young mom Hagar and her son, Ishmael caught in the middle of Abram's mess. Fast forward. Now (because of the wife's desire, not Abram's) the young single mom is kicked out and left wandering in the desert alone and hungry with her son.

All you single moms out there, I'm sure you know exactly how Hagar was feeling. Questions such as:

How will we make it alone?

How could he abandon us like this??

This was never the life I imagined!

My child needs a father! What am I to do?!

And here is God's word to you:

When the water was gone she put the boy under one of the bushes and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, 'I cannot watch the boy die.' As she sat there she began to sob.  

God heard the boy crying and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. He said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.  Lift the boy up and take him by the hand for I will make him into a great nation."

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.  She went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up.  He lived in the desert and became an archer.

Do not be afraid, single parent.  God hears your cry.  

Lift your heart. 

Lift your life and lift your children up to Him.

And He will make them great!

But unlike Abram you must be persistently patient in all your prayers.  As you wait on God to supply all your needs, believe! For He who promises is faithful!