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Being a single Mom, for so long, and never asking for, or receiving help from anyone, has shown me there is a need for some kind of group just for single Moms.
My hope, and my heart is to create this group for single Moms. I have been single for the past 10 years and know how hard it can be. I would love to bring others in the same boat together to share resources, talk, socialize, pray, get advice, etc.. If a Mom is sick, then she needs someone to cook a meal and deliver it to her family. If there is a need, I want to be able to help in any way I can.Something else that is weighing heavy on my heart also is, I want this group to be set up so that single Moms who are struggling can let us know that they have a child with a Birthday coming up and cannot afford a gift, or even a cake. And I will find a way to make sure that their Birthday does not go by without being acknowledged!
I would also like to be able to acknowledge the Moms Birthdays as well.
It just seems that so many organizations only see Christmas as being a time to help people. The other 364 days in the year go unnoticed.
We could set up clothing exchanges, book exchanges, toy, household items, the possibilites are endless.
The first time we all meet will be to talk about the needs in the community, and what everyone would like to see in this group.
I would love to have other veteran single Moms like me:), as well as newly single Moms, join us. Anyone who is single and struggling, does not need to go through it alone!
I created a yahoo group as well, the link is;
http://groups. yahoo.com/group/LancasterCountySingleMomsResources
If you are interested, please e-mail me at;
[email protected]
I have felt God's calling for me to do something for quite some time.
Isaiah 43 kept popping up in so many places to me. I would open a magazine, there would be something about it there. I would open my e-mail, and there it was. At one point a friend of my sons, who I had not seen in close to 2 years, messaged me out of no where and told me that he felt like G-d was telling him, to tell me, to read Isaiah 43.
The passage Isaiah 43:18&19 was always the one that I would go back to; “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness".
I have always felt like that passage was telling me to prepare myself for something new that I was about to be commissioned to do.
Isaiah 43:1&2 have been my heart's desire for so long. To help people NOT to have to go through any hardships, or times of despair alone. I have had to go it alone, time and time again. If it wasn't for my kids, I don't know how I would have survived!But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you".
Don't misread me. I do not think I am G-d, but I do feel that I have been given a servant's heart and my deep desire is to help others through any crisis that life throws at them. I seriously feel that because of my never having anyone, beside my immediate family, offer help through any of the many trials that I have been through, has been a real eye opener to how careless our society has gotten with each other. I know what it feels like to hurt, to suffer horrible injuries. At the time we were involved in a near fatal car accident, the chore to take care of me fell onto my 14 year old daughter, who had also been in the accident, but recovered from the physical injuries quickly, not the post traumatic stress injuries, they never leave. My son helped as well, but also had a full time job he needed to be at. We had a few meals dropped off, and a few calls in the beginning, but no one ever offered to actually come over and talk, pray, give my daughter a break, or invite her over to just chill out. I am eternally grateful to my children for being there for me during the long recovery.
I have had to see my parents both pass away, both in the past three years, one suddenly, and the other suffer through incurable cancer, while declining right before my eyes. All the while never hearing from anyone to see how we were doing through it all.
Not even the pastor, or anyone, from the church we were involved with at the time. Though people knew that we were caring for my Mother here at my home as she rapidly declined to the point that she was totally bed ridden. Dementia had set in as well and she rarely knew who we were, still no one called or offered any kind of help, or even a prayer. When she passed away on April 2nd there was no one for me to call and talk to about the pain I was going through. The only ones that I had to express what I was going through, were my children, and a few people that will forever be close to me in Boston, Virginia, and Florida. Don't get me wrong I got some very nice e-mails from the few that I felt I could tell and they would pray for us. But that is as far as it went. If someone close to you passes away there are so many emotions you need to work through. Cooking, cleaning, and everyday chores just don't matter. That is where real compassion comes in to play. If I hear of someone that is caring for someone who is ill, or suffering through a death of a loved one, I plan to do whatever I can to ease their burdens. I think that taking the time to pray with someone in person, and not just stating that "you are in my prayers", or "we are praying for you", makes a world of difference to that person. It gives them a chance to really be blanketed in love and let their emotions rush out. Helping them with their daily routines, cooking for their family, offering to do errands, is also something that is also greatly appreciated.
As you can probably guess, those who claim to be "christians", and church, has left a very bad taste in my mouth. After countless backs being turned on us in our times of need, I am done with the whole scene. I no longer will call myself a "christian", as it conjures up images of those I have met, that love to use the title, but never live up to it. I am simply a "follower of Christ", and will remain forever faithful to Him. He has been with me through it all and has never left my side.
I know what loneliness feels like, I know what it feels like to be ignored, judged, unwelcome. So many times I have felt like I was simply invisible to everyone, and my opinions or ideas never matter.
With that all said, it is my goal, my passion, my calling, to never let anyone I come in contact with, ever have to go through life alone. Not cared about. Not cared for. Feeling invisible to all they come in contact with. Our society today finds it so easy to just step over those who are hurting or in need. Simply look the other way, not be bothered, not let anyone into their perfect little world. If I sound bitter I am, but am using my bitterness, my disappointments in people, to really help others. It only takes at the most 2 minutes to pick up the phone and ask how someone is, let them know someone cares about them. Going a little further and bringing over a meal to someone you know has alot on their plate, and cooking is probably the last thing on their mind at that time. Offering to pray for those in distress, and I don't mean saying I will pray for you. Actually praying with that person can make them feel like you do really care, and help them to feel G-d's love at a time when they might find it hard to find G-d anywhere in their life.
