Daily Wisdom 08-14-2004 Single-Parent Families

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Single-Parent Families

Teens today have it hard. Sure, young people have faced pressures from the beginning of time, but, in my opinion, the fast paced world we live in today often exposes children and teens to adult issues before they are yet ready to handle it. For example,television and film often consists of inappropriate adult themes and sexual scenes, and themes often hostile to Christian values. Video games often consist of senseless violence, blood and gore. Due to high divorce rates, many children also live in homes where they have no relationship with their father or mother. In such single parent family homes, such youngsters are often left to their own devices to fend for themselves, letting themselves in after school, preparing their own meals and putting themselves to bed.

As a close member of my own family is such a single parent, I have the deepest of respect and sympathy for such loving parents who find themselves in such a difficult and often frustrating situation. This does not mean this is how God wishes families to be. As a parent of older teens myself, I also know how challenging it can be, even when children live with both parents. Parenting is not always easy.

I did not write today's devotional to offer any instant solutions on this particulartopic. However, our response to such situations can dramatically assist many of the pressures, frustrations and difficulties within single-parent homes.

Here are some ways in which you can make a positive difference:

1. Listen:In two-parent families, when one person is feeling weak, they often have the luxury of being able to lean on the other. One way you can make a difference is to be a real friend and LISTEN to your friend's concerns. Every human being needs a shoulder to cry on now and then.

2. Be There:In many cases, beingin a single-parent home is not a choice, but wasthe result of a verytrying circumstance.It is not easy to work full time to support afamily, and also balance family time. So another way to assist is to find creative ways to BE THERE when you can for both the parent and child, when this does not take away from your own obligations. Going to the store to pick up a few things? Why not make a quick call to see if your friend needs anything from the store as well? Those few saved minutes can allow a weary parent to rest, and offer a child more quality time with mom or dad.

3. Be a man (or a woman):Sometimes, young boys who may not have an activestrong male figure in their lives, would really appreciatesomeone toteach them how to play baseball or go fishing. Likewise,a young girl who might live solely with her dad and have no strong female presence in her life maybenefit from the time you can offer her to talk about "girl things." Offer the gift of time.

Within my life, God has often made good use of lemon situations to make lemonade. While divided familiesare not our Lord's perfect plan, this does not mean there is not a way to make the imperfect perfect. By this, I am of course referring to God's perfect presence in our life. More than any trying life situation, a relationship with our heavenly Father is the most important facet of our time here on earth. A child may not have a living or active earthy father, but they DO have a heavenly One!

Reach out to God today, and no longer be one. Let God be part of your life!

Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr