Last Sunday night I sat down and watched Extreme Makeover. It's a television show that selects  families in varying need and circumstances, then blesses them with a new house.

 Sitting still long enough to watch a tv show in it's entirety is a rare thing for me. But two things drew me to this particular episode: It was in Alaska, which I love ( I lived there for a short period in my early twenties), and the family being blessed was a single mom with a lot of kids whom she homeschools.

Most of you know I was a single mom for a long time with five children. As I watched this show I saw some of me, and many of the single moms I know, in this woman and the life she shared with her children.

I looked at what she was trying to accomplish while raising her children alone and  with so little.

Materialisticly(sp?) they had very very little, but where there was a lack of things, there was an abundance in relationship, love, loyalty and family.

The time and effort this mom put into the raising of her children was evident in the children's countenance, their open love and adoration for their mother, and their bright, bright, minds.

While I watched I reflected back at  what it took to have that with my own children and my heart went out to her, and to the other mothers out there who are living a life set apart, despite the trials, despite the lonliness and difficulties, to give their children their best. 

By best I mean the giving of themselves; their time, their love and committment to raising honest, loving, caring, and godly children.

You know when you have nothing, sometimes the best there is to give of yourself is more readily given.

Maybe theres something to that?

After the show I knew I wanted to post something on my blog to encourage and praise those single mom's out there who are giving their life despite the hardships, to the raising of their children.

I know what it takes, I know the moments of despair, the lonliness, the fears, and even the hard physical labor it takes to do it all alone.

 I'm praising you and thanking you for your love of your children, and your love and devotion to God. I'm encouraging you to hang in there to give those precious blessings the best there is to give:

Yourself.

You all are wonderful women. Your rewards will come and for many of us, they already have come by the love returned to us from our children.

Just that will make it all worthwhile.

Some women I would like to encourage, and praise publically for their love and devotion to their children are:

Lisa

Janet

MaggieRaye

Mary Jo

&

Theresa

These are just a few, there are many many in the world who deserve to be recognized.

If you know of one or some, take the time to love on them, praise them, and encourage them.

The line they tote is a hard one. Often times they feel overlooked and forgotten and feel terribly alone outside of their relationship with their children, and their God whom they hold onto desperately.

They are both mother and father, and have to be both man and woman in getting the daily needs met.

Don't forget them.

This is your day ladies.  Any of you and all of you who are walking that road of parenting alone:

I'm remembering you.

Your labor and love are known and appreciated.

Your efforts won't be for nothing. Your reward will be great.

I love you and am proud of you all.