By Steve Lyston
It is very difficult for single parents to survive in a society where there are serious social, moral, and economic problems. Single parents have been going through a great deal, as some are jobless and they are the main income earner for their family. Sometimes, it is not only for their children but also for their siblings. This is even more so for those who are attending school in an effort to achieve more in life. As a result of such challenges, there are numerous temptations that exist, including prostitution, drug peddling, and even running away from their families and responsibilities.
Greater Collaborative Work
There needs to be greater collaborative work among churches, NGOs, (Non-Governmental Organizations), businesses, and the government to set up programmes that can be beneficial to all, but especially to single parents.
Many Situations Create Single Parents
Let us first recognise that the term ‘single parent’ does not refer to a promiscuous, unmarried female who gets pregnant and has a child. There are widows and widowers with children, divorcees with sole custody, aunts or uncles who must parent the children of a sibling. There are numerous situations that result in someone becoming a single parent. So, a simple discount or even a part-time job to assist them can go a far way. Even cutting back on some of the cash programmess and redirecting them to education for them can bring significant and positive results.
A Powerful Reassurance
Many of them are being abused for survival’s sake, but there are several Scriptures where God provides for single parents, including Exodus 22: 22 – 25, I Kings 17: 8 – 16 and II Kings 4. Furthermore, Isaiah 54: 5 gives a powerful reassurance. God intervenes in their lives to provide spiritually and physically, and even to rescue them from the onslaught of financial institutions.
Cheated out of Inheritance
There are many families in society who have lost a spouse who served in the military or police force. These families have received no help, financially or otherwise. Some have been cheated out of their inheritance through the use of clauses.
The Source of Help
Single parents, look first to God as your source! Many are looking for a man/woman as their source of survival. Always remember that God will restore those who faithfully wait on Him to be married or remarried. Tenacity is the key. Waiting is essential for one’s development – because among other things, waiting reveals the heart, strengthens us, and protects us.
Process for Greater Purpose
Many single parents, because they want the physical help, or they want to satisfy certain physical desires (usually sex), they turn to what they are accustomed to or what they used to do. They may run back even to past abusive relationships. Some are told that nobody wants them because they already have children.
Walk out of the rejection, shake off negative words, and embrace and pursue your purpose! You are in process for a greater purpose.
Embrace Divine Will
Even single women at times have been rejected by men who have said that they refuse to marry anyone who was already married or who already has children. Such persons need to renew their minds and embrace divine will if they want to be successful.
Seek Experienced and Righteous Mentors
Never be quick to jump out of the process of your single life, because there is a purpose for which you are being molded. You will need all the training and experience for the task ahead. Seek experienced and righteous mentors who will help mould and develop you. Servant-hood, submission, loyalty, steadfastness, tenacity to purpose will be some of the keys moving forward. Women need to know that good men are looking at their heart condition—attitude and character.
Men of Integrity with Backbone
Men need to know that good women are looking for men of integrity with backbone who will love and take care of his wife and family. They want to know that they will embrace the children she already has as his too, to love and treat them as if they were his own.
Glean in the Field
Single people, continue to ‘glean in the field’ that God has provided for you. Stop walking from church to church in an effort to shorten your process. Ensure that whomever you are serving, whether your pastor or your secular boss, you serve faithfully and respectfully, because it all adds up.
Keys to Your Breakthrough
Remember, persistence is the key to your breakthrough. If you dedicate one hour of your social networking time to prayer, your dream might just become reality more quickly than you expect. Every good man, even an atheist, desires a praying woman. God honours a servant-leader, so serve and volunteer with all your heart.
Maintain Your Purity
Each time you mess up, the process may become longer. And when you are ‘on fire’, ask the Lord to cool the fire until He brings the right ‘fire stick’ to rekindle the fire!
Make Vows and Sacrifices
I have seen people abstain from certain foods or activities in order to receive the promise of God, and are today enjoying their breakthrough and the desires of their hearts! God honours sacrifice!
Apostle Dr. Steve Lyston is the apostle who presides over Restoration World Outreach Ministries Inc. (RWOMI). He is a prophetic voice used by God to speak to nations.