Building your Singles Ministry/Single Parenting by Other Authors
One Single Mom's Story
By Jennifer Maggio
Moment of transparency. Ministry is hard. Critics are many and often come from places you’d least expect. The spiritual warfare is real, and it’s endless. I’ve been serving women formally for 18 years. There’s been over 1 million moms served and $10mm raised to help, and there’s still always another mom. There are days I get frustrated or exhausted or hurt. But then, the Lord sends a note, like the one we got yesterday and I’m reminded to not grow weary in the doing of good. Lives are being saved and changed and restored in the best of ways - all for the glory of the One True King, Jesus. Many exciting things are about to be released in 2025, and now is the time to connect to all that the Lord is doing here.
May N.B.'s words serve as an encouragement for you to get involved!
I want to give a huge shoutout to a ministry that has poured into me and stood by me through every phase of my journey as a single parent. When I first reached out to them, I was broken and filled with shame. The phrase “single mom” made me cringe because I felt like I was contributing to the cycle of broken homes I desperately wanted to break. I still remember almost three years ago, sitting in a park, pouring my heart into an essay for a chance to attend the Life of a Single Mom retreat. I wrote about my traumas, my pain, a recent breakup, and how deeply I was hurting. Fast forward, I was accepted and attended a two-day boot camp retreat that changed my life. I was able to dwell in God’s presence alongside women with stories like mine, and it marked the beginning of my journey to healing and restoration.
Over the years, I’ve been so blessed by this ministry. I’ve attended retreats, conferences, luncheons, and Bible studies. Every single time, I’ve experienced the unwavering support and encouragement from the Life of a Single Mom staff. But it wasn’t just about showing up — it was about doing the work. I applied the lessons I learned from Jennifer Maggio and fought to let go of sexual sin, lust, unforgiveness, and more. I’ve even experienced the healing power of God in a 3-hour deliverance session that forever changed me. I’ve fought hard to get to where I am today, and I’m endlessly grateful for this ministry that interceded and fought for me when I didn’t have the strength to fight for myself. This past year, I’ve been blessed to pay it forward by serving and volunteering. And once again, I’m blown away—today, I was able to pick up a car full of Christmas gifts for my children. This ministry is a true testament to God’s love. They’ve supported me physically, spiritually, and emotionally time and time again. Thank you to The Life of a Single Mom for being such a light in my life."
More info: The Life of a Single Mom
May N.B.'s words serve as an encouragement for you to get involved!
I want to give a huge shoutout to a ministry that has poured into me and stood by me through every phase of my journey as a single parent. When I first reached out to them, I was broken and filled with shame. The phrase “single mom” made me cringe because I felt like I was contributing to the cycle of broken homes I desperately wanted to break. I still remember almost three years ago, sitting in a park, pouring my heart into an essay for a chance to attend the Life of a Single Mom retreat. I wrote about my traumas, my pain, a recent breakup, and how deeply I was hurting. Fast forward, I was accepted and attended a two-day boot camp retreat that changed my life. I was able to dwell in God’s presence alongside women with stories like mine, and it marked the beginning of my journey to healing and restoration.
Over the years, I’ve been so blessed by this ministry. I’ve attended retreats, conferences, luncheons, and Bible studies. Every single time, I’ve experienced the unwavering support and encouragement from the Life of a Single Mom staff. But it wasn’t just about showing up — it was about doing the work. I applied the lessons I learned from Jennifer Maggio and fought to let go of sexual sin, lust, unforgiveness, and more. I’ve even experienced the healing power of God in a 3-hour deliverance session that forever changed me. I’ve fought hard to get to where I am today, and I’m endlessly grateful for this ministry that interceded and fought for me when I didn’t have the strength to fight for myself. This past year, I’ve been blessed to pay it forward by serving and volunteering. And once again, I’m blown away—today, I was able to pick up a car full of Christmas gifts for my children. This ministry is a true testament to God’s love. They’ve supported me physically, spiritually, and emotionally time and time again. Thank you to The Life of a Single Mom for being such a light in my life."
More info: The Life of a Single Mom
About Jennifer Maggio
She is a wife, mother, 5-time author, national speaker, single parenting expert, CEO of a national nonprofit, business consultant, and above all else – a Jesus lover. She deeply desires that every person on the planet come to know the God who saves, redeems, transforms, and frees. She has appeared in hundreds of media venues, has launched a number of successful businesses, and is a Holy Ghost-filled truth-teller.
She is a wife, mother, 5-time author, national speaker, single parenting expert, CEO of a national nonprofit, business consultant, and above all else – a Jesus lover. She deeply desires that every person on the planet come to know the God who saves, redeems, transforms, and frees. She has appeared in hundreds of media venues, has launched a number of successful businesses, and is a Holy Ghost-filled truth-teller.
Thanksgiving: Gratitude Even When You Have An Attitude
by Jenny Houston
Thanksgiving, like any holiday, can be challenging to people for many reasons, and I am no exception. I used to love Thanksgiving; it was my favorite holiday, and it rounded up my favorite season, Fall. Fall is my jam! I love the colors, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove smells, and the cozy and comfortable clothes. But what do you do when your life changes? When your favorite memories now make you sad. What happens when all the colors aren't so bright? Those you love aren't there when you go to the Thanksgiving table. Well, that's a good question! I have found that to have an attitude of gratitude, I needed to accept several facts.
Fact 1: Gratitude and happiness are not the same things.
You've heard it before: gratitude changes your mind, literally. It is a proven fact that practicing gratitude can rewire the synapses in your brain. We listen to it repeatedly in the bible to be grateful. Worship the Lord with Thanksgiving.
Yes, absolutely! But I believe there's a lie floating out there that I want to debunk. It starts like this: "Why should I be thankful? I have nothing to be happy about". Happiness is defined as that state of a being in which the enjoyment of pleasure gratifies his desires without pain*. The feeling is based on the circumstances, things, and emotions you define as making you happy. But gratitude is a perspective of giving thanks for what is in your life, not how you feel about your circumstances.
Fact 2: It could be worse
One of my life beliefs is, "It can always be worse; therefore, there is something to be thankful for." Now, you may think I'm being a bit sadistic, but the truth is your current situation will change, and it could get worse.
Ok. let's accept that reality. Now for the second part: how in the world do I have anything to be thankful for? I answer that with a question: how do I not have something to be grateful for? I am alive. I survived a terrible car accident that should have taken my life, but Jesus saved me. For my very breath, I am thankful. Once you have discovered that being alive is enough, it changes your perspective, and you begin to see basic things to be grateful for, even when you only have a few.
For believers, we will suffer, but Jesus says we suffer with him and share in his glory. John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Fact 3: Seasons change
My third and final point is that eventually, the season ends; the most challenging times will not last forever. Yes, it got worse, and I found a rock bottom about three levels deeper than I thought I could go. But even then, I saw a tiny ember of light and knew Jesus was in that very dark pit. Just like Joseph, who was thrown into a pit by his brothers (Genesis 37:24), I got out, and like him, I was taken along on a journey I did not want to go on. But little by little, things changed, and it started as it always will, with my thoughts.
Change will always start with you. God is more interested in your character than your comfort (Rick Warren), and again I can testify to that. I've grown a lot through the changing seasons, and it is phenomenal how far I have come and what God has done. Character growth will never be fun; you don't develop patience by receiving good things instantly or develop self-control by telling people off or buying everything you desire. An attitude of gratitude will always produce life-giving and life-changing fruit. Never forget that Fall is harvest season!
As I slowly turned my thoughts on what is instead of what was, I found myself breathing deeper and being more thankful for what I had instead of focusing on what I lost. I found myself revealing in my daughter's laugh, learning to use a hedge trimmer, and becoming comfortable sitting alone. I now know my Lord sits with me and he loves my company just as I am now.
So, whether you sat at a table full of food, family, and faith this past Thanksgiving or sat alone with yourself, hard feelings, and a frozen burrito, please know, my sweet friend, you are never alone and have things to be thankful for. You don't have to be happy about your circumstances; two different things can be true and coexist at the same time.
Instead, I urge you to enjoy that burrito, get as cozy, and invite your best friend, Jesus, to your table. The warmth, love, and light he will bring will fill all the spaces in your heart that feel lonely and produce a gratitude you have never known. That, my friend, is what it's about; I'd rather be grateful than happy. Happiness can be taken away at a moment's notice, but gratitude cannot.
On that note, have an incredible Christmas season, wherever you are, whoever you are with, because of who you are!
*https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/happiness
Fact 1: Gratitude and happiness are not the same things.
You've heard it before: gratitude changes your mind, literally. It is a proven fact that practicing gratitude can rewire the synapses in your brain. We listen to it repeatedly in the bible to be grateful. Worship the Lord with Thanksgiving.
Yes, absolutely! But I believe there's a lie floating out there that I want to debunk. It starts like this: "Why should I be thankful? I have nothing to be happy about". Happiness is defined as that state of a being in which the enjoyment of pleasure gratifies his desires without pain*. The feeling is based on the circumstances, things, and emotions you define as making you happy. But gratitude is a perspective of giving thanks for what is in your life, not how you feel about your circumstances.
Fact 2: It could be worse
One of my life beliefs is, "It can always be worse; therefore, there is something to be thankful for." Now, you may think I'm being a bit sadistic, but the truth is your current situation will change, and it could get worse.
Ok. let's accept that reality. Now for the second part: how in the world do I have anything to be thankful for? I answer that with a question: how do I not have something to be grateful for? I am alive. I survived a terrible car accident that should have taken my life, but Jesus saved me. For my very breath, I am thankful. Once you have discovered that being alive is enough, it changes your perspective, and you begin to see basic things to be grateful for, even when you only have a few.
For believers, we will suffer, but Jesus says we suffer with him and share in his glory. John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Fact 3: Seasons change
My third and final point is that eventually, the season ends; the most challenging times will not last forever. Yes, it got worse, and I found a rock bottom about three levels deeper than I thought I could go. But even then, I saw a tiny ember of light and knew Jesus was in that very dark pit. Just like Joseph, who was thrown into a pit by his brothers (Genesis 37:24), I got out, and like him, I was taken along on a journey I did not want to go on. But little by little, things changed, and it started as it always will, with my thoughts.
Change will always start with you. God is more interested in your character than your comfort (Rick Warren), and again I can testify to that. I've grown a lot through the changing seasons, and it is phenomenal how far I have come and what God has done. Character growth will never be fun; you don't develop patience by receiving good things instantly or develop self-control by telling people off or buying everything you desire. An attitude of gratitude will always produce life-giving and life-changing fruit. Never forget that Fall is harvest season!
As I slowly turned my thoughts on what is instead of what was, I found myself breathing deeper and being more thankful for what I had instead of focusing on what I lost. I found myself revealing in my daughter's laugh, learning to use a hedge trimmer, and becoming comfortable sitting alone. I now know my Lord sits with me and he loves my company just as I am now.
So, whether you sat at a table full of food, family, and faith this past Thanksgiving or sat alone with yourself, hard feelings, and a frozen burrito, please know, my sweet friend, you are never alone and have things to be thankful for. You don't have to be happy about your circumstances; two different things can be true and coexist at the same time.
Instead, I urge you to enjoy that burrito, get as cozy, and invite your best friend, Jesus, to your table. The warmth, love, and light he will bring will fill all the spaces in your heart that feel lonely and produce a gratitude you have never known. That, my friend, is what it's about; I'd rather be grateful than happy. Happiness can be taken away at a moment's notice, but gratitude cannot.
On that note, have an incredible Christmas season, wherever you are, whoever you are with, because of who you are!
*https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/happiness
About Jenny Houston:
'm a thriving, successful single mom in Kansas City. I am getting to raise one incredible kid in a Godly home, and I'm blessed. I believe every single mother is successful because of who they are, and I enjoy encouraging others to heal, grow, and be the person God designed them to be.
Contact: [email protected]
'm a thriving, successful single mom in Kansas City. I am getting to raise one incredible kid in a Godly home, and I'm blessed. I believe every single mother is successful because of who they are, and I enjoy encouraging others to heal, grow, and be the person God designed them to be.
Contact: [email protected]
Single Parenting
I never planned to be a single parent. Like most people, you get married to stay married. You buy a home, start planning a family, and live life. Then, things change, and you find yourself alone, raising kids without much support. You can choose to stay angry or seek the help you need to navigate this new life. I am thankful for Kris and The Singles Network Ministries. The website is so full of excellent articles and resources. I am also grateful for the additional links to ministries focusing on single parents. With God's help and others, just one day at a time. |
Single Parent Ministries
UK Premier Radio: 6 Ways To Help Solo Parents in Church
Single Mom University
Emerge by Arise: DVD and Study
Gail Showalter
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