The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions

I have read some wonderful devotionals, but to read one that speaks so openly of the challenges that single moms face and then what happens when one places her hope in Christ...is like hearing one of my favorite hymns in church. It's medicine to the soul. As many great hymns were born out of harrowing circumstances, this book was born out of the anguish of being a single parent. Carol doesn't sugar-coat the challenges of single parenting--she spells them out! Being a single parent is hard, lonely, overwhelming, exhausting...the list goes on and on. But...there is HOPE.My mom (a widow who raised five young kids), like Carol, had to move her family across the country and figure out what to do after two decades of being a housewife, had to say farewell to many dear friends and our childhood home and prayerfully find a new home, church, job, etc. But guess what, God wasn't and isn't finished! If you are a single mom, you can find HOPE and wisdom in this book and know that God isn't done with you! He adores you! His arms are open! You and your kids are still a family! You are not alone. I know, because I am a single mom of three, and sometimes it's all I can do to "show up", but God can do a lot with showing up. As Carol states in her book, "In my utter powerlessness, Jesus Christ became utterly powerful."I encourage everyone to read this book...friends and relatives of single moms, pastors and counselors, teachers of students raised by single parents, etc. The trials and tribulations are spelled out here. Yet the assurance that the trials have passed through God's hands, and the wisdom from someone who has lived it daily, come together beautifully. The book spells out HOPE.

This book is absolutely wonderful. Carol so eloquently describes the apprehensions and fears we face as we endeavor upon single motherhood. The stories are so relevant, interwoven with real situations I have either faced or am facing. This is much more than a daily feel-good snippet seen in most daily devotionals. These devotionals could be used throughout a week. Each devotional has a couple of pages addressing some of the many issues faced by single moms, such as Fear of the Future, Redefining Life, Disappointments, Forgiving the Unforgivable, Trust, Waiting, Injustice, Running on Empty, Worry, Shame, and even Forgetfulness. Each of the 52 devotionals is broken into parts: A two-page reading, multiple relevant verses, topics for reflection, introspective questions that relate the topic into finding our place at His Altar (a theme throughout), suggested activities to involve your child(ren), and a place for writing notes.Her introductory writings tug at my heartstrings: "How is it possible to be numb and feel pain at the same time?" (page 15), "God condescended to meet us at the broken places of our lives." (page 20), "Life... was like being shipwrecked during an extended hurricane season." (page 139), "When other relationships and roles are stripped away, the cross of Christ remains fixed in time." (page 28).There is so much identification, application and encouragement all bundled up into this treasure. When it seems like the most vocal and well-respected Christian writers and speakers are part of intact traditional family structures, this book provides biblically-based encouragement from someone who really understands the heart of a single mom, as one who walks in our shoes daily.

Not really what I was looking for, but I still learned a lot about myself and got into the word more.

I HIGHLY recommend this book!! Yes, it's title implies that it's for single mom's (and it's wonderfully/awesome for those walking that journey), but it's SO much more!! This morning I've read and reread the first chapter FIVE times! It's got that much goodness in it!! This book is a must-have devotional book!! The first chapter alone is worth the price of the book!! It's not just a "feel good" book that you can read quickly and then go about your day never giving it another thought. It's rich with truths you can "sink your teeth into".Here's just a tiny bit of what Carol says in chapter one: "Relate God's name and His character to your child (and to yourself!) as you discuss situations or challenges your child is facing. What name of God does your child need to rely on today?"I've decided, since there are 52 chapters, that I'll read a chapter each Monday and then reread that chapter every day that week. Hopefully I'll have digested every single bit of wonderfulness in it by the end of the year.Thanks for writing it! I can't imagine the horror of walking that path with 3 little girls...... but look what God did on the other side!!Sheila

This book has been such a gift for me. I have been a single mom to two little girls for the past three years. My family lives overseas, my former spouse disappeared out of our life. Both facts gave me an important lesson on self reliance. All single moms are human beings. All of us deal with fear, self doubt, exhaustion, worry. And that is why Carol Floch's book comes to our rescue. Carol has been there, she had done that. She has a compassion and at the same time she knows what an overwhelmed single mom needs. A reassurance, encouragement, love, patience, faith. Her book offers all this plus much more. This book always picks me up when I am feeling low. I highly recommend it.Another book that I found helpful is The Suddenly Single Mother's Survival Guide by L. Patricia Kite. Both books will lift up your spirit. Each in a different way.

I have been a single mom for 15+ years and am now in single mom ministry. I came across this book at a local book store on clearance. It has been the best book I have read in a long time. Not just for single moms but ANYONE who has hurts to heal, wants to draw closer to God and wants practical ways to help their children do the same. I loved the book so much I ordered several (paying full price) and gave them as door prizes at Oklahoma's Survive-N-Thrive, a regional summer conference for single moms. I plan to do the same in November for Jingle Jangle, a single mom holiday event. This is a keeper that I will read and reread over the years.

This book is so on the mark, it could have been written for me! It covers things single mums go through very well.