5 Signs That You Are Doing Your Best as a Single Mom

2 Timothy 2:15- Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive HIs approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

One of the hardest jobs on the planet is being a mother. If you couple motherhood with singleness, you just made an already tough but fulfilling role one hundred times harder.

Due to single motherhood being the norm in Black American households, the heaviness of the role of single mom can become taboo to acknowledge.

The women before you were able to take care of their families.

You want to be strong too. You want your children to have the best outcomes.

These natural desires can become everyday reminders that you must get creative and committed to God’s plan for your success.

Since it is God’s plan, you are relegated to surrendering to His timing to experience all of the fruits of your labor.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. -Proverbs 16:3

It may be hard to celebrate any progress when you feel like your work is never ending. Here are five traits to acknowledge about your daily efforts and remind yourself that God is with you every step of the way:

You are willing to learn new skills to show up as the best version of yourself.

Learning new skills does not always mean formal education. You find time throughout your day to engage in healthy and productive blogs, social media posts, or YouTube videos. You follow platforms that teach you what is necessary to reach your next goal. A day doesn’t go by that you aren’t learning something new.

You aren’t afraid to ask for help.

Some stages of motherhood can be isolating if you allow them to be. But you understand when it is time to call on a friend or family member to pitch in. You are working with your children’s teachers to ensure they do their best in school. You are vocal about concerns when you speak with their healthcare team. You are capable of doing plenty, but you understand yourself enough to know when something it is out of your scope.

You have established routines for yourself and your family.

The days are going by so fast for you because of the routines you have in place. They make the mundane things effortless and easy to overlook. I’m sure you can remember seasons where you were still trying to figure out how early you should get up in the morning or how long will it take to prepare dinner before it’s time for everyone to get ready for bed. Those days were a hot mess, but you have made it through to the other side, at least on most days. Be proud of how far you have come.

You follow a budget.

The discipline it takes to make a budget for your money is lost among most people today. But you have goals to reach, and you want to do your part as a steward of your resources to provide for your family. Budgets might not change a lot in some seasons due to paying down debt or having and entry level job. Remaining faithful with your money has many long-term rewards that will only be realized if you stay committed. It’s not glamorous work but it can have a major impact on how your children steward their money as well.

You are teaching your children about Christ.

This point is worth noting because as believers our love for Christ naturally comes out with the people we love. Take some time to consider the impact this has on your children. Your love for God will likely be the catalyst for them receiving the gospel for themselves. Sharing your testimony with your family strengthens your bond at its roots. The Bible lessons that you help them understand are shaping their values to prepare them for life outside of the home. Your Godly example is priceless to your family.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. -Proverbs 31:30

You are an amazing mom now! Your stewardship only refines the love that God flows through you and to your family. Be encouraged through all financial seasons: you are enough and your impact is felt each day you serve your household.

If you would like resources to help you remain steadfast on your journey to better stewardship as a single mom, sign up for the Faithful Mama Budget email list. There will be devotionals and daily Bible verses to remember coming to your inbox soon!