Here we are on Good Friday. Our Lord suffered and dies so we can have a chance at Glory someday. Have we accepted Him and allowed Him to be Lord over our lives? Or do we still want things OUR way. Struggles, struggles...we all have them. What are mine? Hmm, belief in myself and my abilities, forgiving myself for wrongs in the past, yelling at my kids when they don't seem to be listening! UGH< hate that one! Knowing how much damage I as a parent can inflict on my children's self-esteem is a big burden for me. My oldest doesn't seem to struggle with it as much as the middle one, but still---we as parents have a huge God-given responsibility. He loaned these little ones to me to raise because he thought I could do it- will I let Him down? Will my boys know what it means to be a 'man' when they grow up? I didn't say an ADULT, I said a 'MAN'! Big difference!

To me, a man is someone who puts others' needs before his own, who works hard to provide for his family, is honest, has integrity, morals and ethics.I read this book that scared me to tears. I wept and asked God to intervene! Boys need MEN in their lives to teach and train and to be able to learn from their example how to live. The name of the book was 'Bringing up Boys' by Dr. James Dobson. He has raised his own children and has so much insight to what they need. There was also an entire chapter on Single Parents and help for us. I got really emotional because he seemed to understand the needs we have and the demands made on us. And so many times it just seems like there is no one who understands all of it! Unless you have lived it, you cannot comprehend it! As a single parent, we are in charge of everything and have all the responsibilities. Do the married people appreciate what your significant other does for you? Do you really realize all the little things they do? Stop and count what they do each day- even if they take out the trash and nothing else. Or if they went to work to provide for you and the family- did you tell them thank you? Did you tell them thank you for being a listening ear the last time they did? I guess I just want to encourage each of us to count our blessings instead of only seeing the negatives and dwelling on them. I have to stop and appreciate myself sometimes, for all the things I do on a daily basis for my kids- there's no one else here to tell me, so I need to. Give yourself permission to be happy and appreciate yourself, too! We cannot expect our spouse to fill our every need, we must take an active part in getting our needs met also! God is the one that we must depend on. If we only depend on our spouse, they will be so overwhelmed, they won't be able to function at their best. 

Here is another book I'm reminded of. Love and Respect.....the man NEEDS respect to survive and us women don't realize that, lol! We are all about Love! Love me, love me, love me! If only someone would love me, I'd be OK......is so many times the thought process of a single woman. Yet- if we haven't fully accepted the love of Christ how can we be ready for the love of a spouse? Women NEED love to survive. But what we fail to realize is that God is LOVE!!!  He is the author of Love!! He can love us like no MAN ever could! I have been shown this truth in the last year and it has been so wonderful. Yes, I may be physically alone, but God is the one who loves me and I don't feel that void of needing a man to show me that he loves me. God gives me flowers along the road that I can pick and take home for my table instead of a man to bring them to me. God gives me wonderful friends who have came over and helped me organize and clean my house in the last week when I was in need. It didn't take having a man here, it took God and Godly women who were listening to His prompting. I am so Blessed!!

Anyway- I might have overwhelmed some of you this morning. Hope it can give someone the courage to continue on, give God the Glory and enjoy life! Love and Prayers!
Lori