{Please welcome another new member of our writing team, Charity Keldie. Charity is an amazing single mother, walking close to her Father as she raises her son by herself. At the MOB Society, Charity will be sharing her heart and wisdom, and providing encouragement to other single moms along the way. Today, she shares the story of how she became a single mom. Please give her a MOB Society welcome!}

I have a precious 4-year-old son named William. From the moment the doctor told us he was a boy, my husband and I began to pray that God would grow him into a man of faith who imaged Christ in a powerful way. We spent hours reading, praying and talking about how we would raise him. Daddy would be a constant and strong example of what the Bible commands men to be. Mommy would support and encourage what daddy was teaching. My husband spent time reading the Bible to William daily, helping him memorize Scripture, taking every opportunity to discuss how great and loving God is. The results were beautiful – William began to fall in love with the Bible and ask sweet questions about who God is. And then our family was dealt a blow that we never expected and everything changed.

When William was 3-years-old, his daddy died unexpectedly.

But on that day of unbearable pain and grief, the Lord was so faithful. And so generous – even in death. Because of my husband’s faith in the atoning work of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection, God graciously took my husband home to Heaven. And because of the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, God generously brought Scripture to memory and people to speak truth and hope into our tragedy. Intermingled with tears were thoughts of God’s eternal nature – his presence and sovereignty over the past, present and future, of God’s compassion and promise to care for the widow and orphans, of God’s victory over sin and death.

That night, I held my little boy, read him the story of Jesus’ death on the cross and explained that his earthly daddy had died. I also got to share the gospel with him. And we cried. The tears, questions and conversations didn’t end that day, nor did the struggles we would face. In fact, over the next year my little boy would also face some very serious medical issues. But in each moment, with each sob of grief and fear, God would continue to be generous. He would continue to sustain not only life, but joy and hope. And though I wish circumstances were different, in losing his daddy, William has come to a deeper understanding and love for his real Daddy – God.

So I walk the road of a single mom. Many of you walk it with me. Whether due to death or divorce or seasons of separation for other reasons, we must figure out how to raise these precious boys to be men of faith. But while there is no physical daddy present, take heart – God is present. He is involved and working your difficult circumstance for your good and your son’s good. He will be faithful and generous along the way – even when it is difficult to understand. Let’s walk this road together, encouraging each other along the way. Let’s look to Jesus, knowing He has overcome.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Are you a single mom? What are some of your deepest struggles as you walk this road?