Daily Parent Devotional: Strength for the Single Parent (March 8)

Hey there. If you are reading this while hiding in the bathroom for two minutes of peace, or perhaps while waiting in a carpool line feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, I want you to take a deep breath.

You are doing a lot. Actually, you are doing everything.

Being a single parent is often described as a "heroic" journey, but let’s be honest, sometimes you don’t want to be a hero. Sometimes you just want to be a person who doesn't have to decide what’s for dinner, how to fix the leaky faucet, and how to navigate a teenager's mood swings all at the same time.

At Boundless Online Church, we see you. Whether you are right here in the Memphis area or joining us from across the globe, we know that your schedule doesn't always allow for a traditional church experience. You might be a shift worker, a caregiver, or simply someone who finds the logistics of getting kids out the door on a Sunday morning to be one mountain too many to climb.

We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. And today, we want to talk about where your strength actually comes from.

The Myth of the "Super Parent"

There is a pressure in our culture to "have it all together." For the single parent, this pressure is doubled. You feel like you have to be both the nurturer and the provider, the disciplinarian and the fun-maker.

But here is the truth: God never called you to be a "Super Parent" on your own strength.

In the Assemblies of God tradition, we believe deeply in the power of the Holy Spirit to empower the believer (one of our 16 Fundamental Truths). This isn't just for big miracles or speaking in tongues at an altar. This is for the "everyday miracles", like having enough patience when your toddler draws on the wall, or having enough peace to sleep when the bills are stacking up.

When we try to operate solely on our own willpower, we burn out. But when we tap into the strength that God provides, something shifts.

A Promise for the Exhausted

There is a beautiful passage in Isaiah 40:29-31 that feels like it was written specifically for the single mom or dad who is running on fumes:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Notice that it says "even youths grow tired." It is natural to be exhausted. It is human to feel like you’re stumbling. The "renewing" happens when we place our hope in the Lord rather than in our own ability to manage the calendar.

How do you practically "hope in the Lord" when you’re elbow-deep in laundry? It starts with a simple conversation. It’s a prayer that says, "Lord, I can't do this day alone. I need Your Spirit to carry the weight I wasn't meant to hold."

Finding Peace in the Chaos

One of the biggest challenges of single parenting is the lack of a "second set of hands." There is no one to tag in when you’re at your wit’s end. This can lead to a feeling of deep isolation.

But you have a Partner who never sleeps.

We believe that God is an ever-present help. He isn't watching from a distance, judging how well you’re keeping the house clean. He is in the trenches with you.

Taking a moment for a "micro-devotional" can change the trajectory of your day. You don't need an hour of silence (who has that?). You just need a moment to acknowledge His presence. This is why we created resources like The Boundless Daily to give you bite-sized truth that fits into your life.

Building Your Digital Village

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but for many single parents, that village is hard to find. Maybe you moved for work, or maybe life circumstances have left you feeling disconnected from a physical community.

This is why Boundless Online Church exists. We aren't just a broadcast; we are a community. We want to be part of your village.

In the digital age, community doesn't have to be limited by zip codes. You can find support, prayer, and encouragement right from your phone. Whether you are checking out our Sunday Live Worship while the kids are napping, or engaging with our prayer wall, you are not alone.

Community provides the emotional and spiritual "backup" that every single parent needs. When you’re having a bad day, knowing that there are people across the world praying for you can be the very thing that keeps you going.

Practical Steps for Today

If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, here are three small things you can do:

1. Release the Guilt: You are one person. You cannot be in two places at once, and you cannot do everything perfectly. God’s grace is sufficient for your perceived "shortcomings."

2. Identify Your "Strength Leaks": What is draining you the most? Is it social media comparison? Is it a toxic relationship? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you set boundaries that protect your peace.

3. Ask for Help: This is the hardest one. Whether it’s asking a friend to watch the kids for an hour so you can walk, or reaching out to us for prayer, don't suffer in silence.

We have a plan to help you get connected quickly. You can check out how to get plugged in fast to find that sense of belonging you’ve been looking for.

A Prayer for You

If you’re reading this, I want to pray for you right now.

Father, I lift up every single parent reading this. I ask that You would pour out Your Holy Spirit upon them in a tangible way today. Where there is exhaustion, give supernatural rest. Where there is worry about finances or the future, give a peace that passes understanding. Help them to see themselves through Your eyes, as beloved, capable, and never alone. Amen.

Remember, your identity isn't defined by your marital status or your bank account. Your identity is found in Christ. You are a child of the King, and He is a Father to the fatherless and a protector of the widow (and widower). He is invested in your family’s success.

Keep going. You are doing a great job, and the seeds of faith you are planting in your children today will harvest a beautiful future.

If you ever feel like the weight is too much to carry, please reach out. We are here to walk with you.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.

Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.