HI Tara!

I don't see why God would punish someone for being a single parent. Parenting is sometimes stressful even with a mate. People are single parents for different reasons. Sex outside of marriage is only one cause of single parenting.The reason why someone is a single parent can be the biggest factor. Not having another person to support you causes more stressors because there is only one person carrying all the responsibility.

Children need two parents and that is one reason why God ordained marriage, however many people are abandoned by the other parent and that may not be their fault. Now, if you are speaking of parenthood as a result of promiscuity, which is sin, that in itself causes problems and you most likely are bringing someone into the world with someone who you don't have a commmitment from. And even if the child is the result of sin, can't a person repent? God loves the child and the parent. Would God try to make life diffulcult for you because he is mad at you for making a wrong choice?

I believe the choices you make after the child arrives greatly determines how successful you are as a single parent. God wants all children to be raised right and instead of punishing you, I believe he helps you when you trust and lean on him.
Faith in God can relieve any stress. Trying to live without God's help is a problem for any parent.

God is interested in who we are now not what we did years ago. If we are in relationship with him he can fill in the gaps. Even though children need mommy and daddy a person can still be a great single parent and manage life well. I have seen it work.
I could on and on but I know you don't want me to write a book on your Myspace page.
Have a good weekend Sis.
 

I agree that I don't think that the struggles of being a single parent are a result of promiscuity or being irresponsible. There are different reason for being a single parent. It was meant for a child to be raised by both a father and a mother....when one is missing....it's off balance. That's the bottomline......
 

As a single parent of two young boys, I have often wondered what did I do to deserve this? But then I realized that regretting anything that I had done would be the same as regretting becoming a mother. And that is something I could never do. Single parents have been around since the dawn of ManKind. For one reason or another the other person can not or in most instances will not take responsibility for their actions or indisrections. But through my many trials and tribulations (and believe me I thank God everyday just for being here) I have learned that being a single parent or really a parent in general is a blessing because everyday I get to see my children grow in God, in his word and in the world. And I pray for the other parent to allow God and his love into his heart so that he will one day see what he has truly been blessed with. But through my daily walks I came across a peom in the December 2005 issue of the Daily Bread it read - What tenderness the Savior brings, to sinners in their pain, he gives to them the strength to bare the hurt that brings them gain.-D. Haan. Life is painful but it is necessary it's what u take from it that of most importance. And just remember that he has bought you and your children to far to EVER leave you.
 

Yes, raising a child today is difficult - hard is what Jesus did - but as you stated it can be done and it doesn't matter if you are two parents or a single parent, when you put God first, we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us!

I am a single parent of three young ladies; I could not have children of my own, although my ex-husband and I tried for 12 1/2 years, but it was God's plan that I mother other people's children, so I adopted all three girls. My oldest is 28 and I've had her with me since she was 15 and then I have a 16 and 12 year old, who were born my nieces and are now my daughters. All three have special concerns - emotional disabilities due to drug addictions and such - but are the love of my life. One of the things, being a single parent has taught me is that I can of myself do nothing, but I MUST depend on God. As you might imagine my life can be quiet stressful with three girls, but we actually have a lot of fun. My children have been raised to know who God is and pray and study the Word for themselves with no problem, which also makes a big difference in how things are handled in my home.

To answer your immediate question, NO I do not believe the stress of single parenthood is a punishment from God. I am so grateful that God is not like us, He doesn't keep score like that! If He did, then the principle of repentance would be a lie and therefore the entire word of God would be of non-effect. When Christ died, He died for every sin we've ever committed, are committing daily, and any sin that we will ever commit. Our sins have been washed AWAY and "as far as the east is from the west" is as far as He has sent them. What does that mean? It means that God does not bring our mistakes/sins up to our face, but they've been washed away by the blood of the Lamb! Now, we DO have to - in several instances - deal with the consequences of our actions, which in turn become our testimony, but it’s not a punishment. How would we ever be able to give a testimony if we've never gone through anything? How can we tell anyone that God will make a way out of no way if we've never gone through anything? Single parenthood is STILL a blessing! Not only is it a blessing, but it produces strength in both the child and the parent --- it develops, or should for children of God, godly character.

As a single parent I can teach my girls 1st hand that it is a blessing to have a husband, and it may or may not be God's desire for you to have a husband one day, but that you can be successful as a women of God! I get to teach my daughters that you can live holy and still have fun; you can go to college, earn a good living, buy your own house, car, have you own bank account and stay out of debt so that when/if your Boaz does come along, he won't have to fight through unnecessary obstacles to get to his bride. I get to teach my girls that it’s ok to be strong, beautiful, intelligent, and sexy; it’s ok to walk with your head up because you are a daughter of the Most High King and you deserve to be treated as such. There are benefits to being married, yes but don't sleep the benefits to being a single parent either.

Yes, financially it can be a bit much some times when everything seems to be coming at you at one time, but during those times I simply talk to the Father and ask Him to show me, lead me, and help me and He ALWAYS comes through even if its no more than to quiet my spirit so I can see its not as bad as it seems. I think Prob. says it best "trust in the Lord with all thin heart and lean not unto thin own understanding, but in ALL THY WAYS acknowledge HIM and He shall direct thy path."

Peace!