There is something special about sitting poolside on a warm summer day. The scent of suntan lotion drifts through the air, laughter echoes across the water, and the sounds of children splashing around create a beautiful reminder that life, even in its busyness, is full of simple blessings.
As I sat in my lounge chair watching my son enjoy the pool, I found myself alone with my thoughts. Bible open in my lap, I began to reflect on where God is leading me in this season of life.
Being a Christian single mom often feels like carrying many responsibilities at once. There are bills to pay, meals to prepare, appointments to keep, businesses to build, and children to raise. Some days feel overwhelming. Other days feel uncertain. Yet in the middle of the noise, God gently calls us to be still and remember that He is in control.
"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10
As I listened to the joyful squeals of children racing down slides and splashing in the water, I was reminded that God desires for us to experience joy too. Sometimes, as mothers, we become so focused on surviving that we forget how to simply enjoy the blessings right in front of us.
These quiet moments poolside have become more than relaxation for me. They have become moments of worship.
I ask myself:
- What is God calling me to do?
- How can I serve Him through this season of single motherhood?
- How can I use my gifts to encourage others?
- Am I trusting His timing, even when I don't have all the answers?
The truth is, I don't know exactly what the future holds. I don't know every detail of God's plan for my life. But I do know that He has been faithful every step of the way.
As a Christian single mom, I have learned that God doesn't require perfection. He asks for obedience. He asks us to trust Him one day at a time. Sometimes that trust looks like stepping out in faith to build a business. Sometimes it looks like resting and enjoying a summer afternoon with our children. Sometimes it simply means opening His Word and allowing Him to speak into our weary hearts.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5-6
Summer has a way of slowing us down just enough to notice God's goodness. The warmth of the sun on our skin, the smell of sunscreen, the laughter of our children, and the peaceful moments spent reading Scripture all remind us that these ordinary days are actually extraordinary gifts.
Today, I am choosing gratitude.
Grateful for another summer.
Grateful for time with my son.
Grateful for God's provision.
Grateful for the quiet moments that allow me to hear His voice more clearly.
I don't have everything figured out, but I know this: God has a purpose for my life, even in this season of waiting, growing, and learning.
Maybe you're a single mom reading this today. If so, I want to encourage you to pause for a moment. Put down the to-do list. Watch your children laugh. Open God's Word. Listen for His guidance.
You don't have to have all the answers.
You simply have to keep saying "yes" to the One who does.
So today, I'll sit poolside, breathe deeply, listen to the laughter around me, and thank God for the beautiful life He is creating—one faithful step at a time.
Because the joys of summer aren't just found in splashing around in the water or lounging by the pool.
Sometimes, they're found in the quiet moments when we realize that God has been with us all along.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of summer and the simple moments that remind me of Your goodness. Help me to hear Your voice clearly as I navigate single motherhood. Guide my steps, strengthen my faith, and remind me to find joy in the blessings You have placed before me. Help me trust Your plan, even when I cannot see the whole picture. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayers for this Summer
With love,
Kerri Anderson ♥
Blessed Be The Gift