Christian Community Networking

  Ramon Roane

A Tribute to the Single Mother

Today’s society we see the effects of the breakdown of the home all around us. There is teenage pregnancy, out of wedlock births, divorce, and unemployment and under employment which often leaves the woman holding the child or children to fend for herself. Many of these women are unprepared to fend for themselves let alone for a child. Our news media often broadcast the horror stories of the single parent, but I would like to share with you two success stories.

First, I have known Annette for nearly twenty years and almost all of those years she was a single mother raising her daughter, Lisa. Annette is my sister in Christ and I am Lisa’s adopted uncle. We all met at the church where we attended and we all hit it off from day one. She is the closest female friend that I have that is not in my biological family. I would often seek her advice when dating and she always on point.

Even though Annette works full-time, Lisa never goes lacking for anything. Her ex-husband, Lisa’s biological father, whom, I have never met since knowing them, has been the typical ex-husband, absent at those special events. Annette was driven to make sure that her daughter had every opportunity regardless of her marital status. There were choir rehearsals, dance classes, music lessons, brownies and girl scouts and she was even enrolled in an academic magnet school. When it came to discipline she didn’t skip that class either, because she was going to give her child balance.

Upon graduating high school, she had a long list of colleges to choose from. She chose wisely by attending a great college hours away from her mother. Lisa has graduated from college and is pursuing her chosen career path. This is a success story!

Secondly, I have known Tawana for about 5 years. Her personality will light up the darkest on rooms, her smile and laugh is infectious to all who come within site or sound of her. When I met her she was struggling to raise to handsome young boys, Darrin and Miles. Her ex-husband did not make things on her any easier, but that did not hold her back. This woman was determined to give her sons the best opportunities and maintaining their relationship with their father, by living close enough where they could see their father often.

These young men were being raised in a home that recognized the importance of a relationship with God through Jesus at an early age. Their mother, a teacher, gave them a good advantage, because she witnesses the effects of poor parenting in her profession every day. And she was determined that her boys would not end up like a lot of our black youths today.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010, I attended the home going services of Darrin, he was 14 years old. He passed away after track practice. It was said that he had a blockage to his heart. His passing was a shock to me as well to all who knew him. Honestly, I questioned God, why Darrin? He had so much promise and there are many others He could have taken. Then the Holy Spirit sends me the scripture, Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” All of us who knew Darrin will allow his ministry to continue in our lives, I know it will in mine.

I know you may be thinking that the second story was not a success story with the passing of her son, but consider this. We don’t know how long we have on this side of heaven and we must do the best we can while we are here. Our children are a gift from God and we will be held accountable in this life and on Judgment Day on how we took care of our children. Tawana didn’t know she had only 14 years with her gift, but she raised him to honor the Lord our God all of those years. Though Darrin was Tawana’s gift from God, she allowed her son to hear the gospel of Christ and he believed and was baptized and he received the gift of salvation. This is a success story in God’s eyes.

God is still Jehovah Jireh and He is no respecter of person. He did it for Annetta and Tawana in raising their children and He will do it for you, too! Remember in 2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” The bible has the answer to all things pertaining to life and He will provide all of your needs according to His riches in glory.”

This commentary is dedicated to all single mothers.

And in memory of William Darrin Davis II.