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Christianity and the single parent

lightbee by lightbee Young Parent(December 2006) (rank 18th)

***This advice is aimed specifically at Christians.  Although there may be messages of value for those of other faiths and spiritual beliefs, these are not covered here.  I have based this solely on my own experience.***

As a Christian and a church goer, I have found that separation

brings a whole new set of issues that other single parents may not have to deal with.

Your church as a family
Very often if you attend a church, the church community can be like your family.  This can be a good or a bad thing.  If your church family is supportive of your situation it could make things much easier to bear.  If, like me, your church family are at best neutral, and at worst condemning, then you have a new set of problems.  For me this has been a hard road over nearly 2 years where I have tried to find my new identity as a single parent in an environment where there is very little support.  I have finally made a break from my church.  This not only affects me but also the kids as that is where they fitted and had friends.

Is your separation okay with God?
I was recommended an awesome book on this topic titled "Divorce and Remarriage" by David Instone-Brewer.  My personal observation of Christian marriages that break down is that it is usually caused by one of the three "As" - Adultery, Addiction or Abuse.  None of these are okay with God.  He values His children far more than we value our own.  And you would never want to see your children hurt, would you?  This is not an easy thing to deal with, but keep in mind that God loves you more than you could ever know and what ever concerns or issues you have, He wants you to bring them to him, not reject Him along with the Christians/church that treat you badly.

How do you teach your kids about spirituality?
Chances are that you and your ex have different ideas about your faiths (even if you once were in sync with one another).  It is worth having a think about how you want your kids to be involved with your faith now that you're separated.  Do you want them to go to Sunday School?  Should they continue to go to church with you or with your ex?  What if you go to different churches now?  While none of these need be a problem, its definitely an issue you need to think about.

Some people will never be okay with it
The sad truth within the Christian community that there are a number of judgemental and condemning people.  They are convinced they know best and - often without finding out the truth of your situation - will judge or condemn you.  It may be overt where things are said to you directly or to people around you, or it may be more subtle where they merely treat you in a different way.  Unfortunately, some people will never change and it is left up to you to deal with it.  You can ignore them, or you can move on, you can confront them - whatever works best for you.  Just don't blame yourself if they can't reconcile their ideals with your reality. 

But on the bright side...

Some people will truly show you Grace
The reverse side of the coin, is that you will meet some people who will truly be there for you and will show you true grace and acceptance regardless of your circumstances.  These people really show you the face of God and should be cherished.  Make sure you thank them and show your appreciation of them.   Not all of these people will be found in typical Christian circles, but that doesn't make their support and acceptance of any less value.   I have met some of these wonderful people through courses I've taken, at work and (of course!) on Minti.

The creator of the Universe is your friend
Never underestimate the fact that no matter what terrible circumstances you've been through, you are still loved immeasurably by the creator of the Universe.  Having someone like that on your side cannot be underestimated.  Don't let go of your faith just because the people around you are not supporting or encouraging you.  Don't let someone else's idea of God determine your own relationship with Him.  Explore your own faith and find out for yourself what you truly believe and who you have a relationship with.  God's big enough to deal with all your stuff.  Let Him do it.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
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exquisite-flower
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | exquisite-flower
Re: Christianity and the single parent

Great points in here.  From my experience I started a new church a year ago now, immediately being a single mother i was treated like a tramp and a blonde bimbo of the ultimate stereotype by a couple of people there.  Thankfully this is not the way the church as a whole thinks and I am there still because I know that this is their problem, not mine.  They have jumped to conclusions etc - I need not go on - you all know the kind of people I mean.

The one thing I have had to actively do myself is accept myself in this role as worthy and loveable and with something to contribute to my christian family.  I never anticipated things would turn out like this so my whole outlook on life has had to change, but I have only recently addressed it - purely because there were other priorities and how I saw myself fitting into my church family was lower on the list than those things. 

When I see people in the street whom I have not seen for a year or three they dont know what to say.  They know some of what I have been through, but they have been busy in their own lives.  So have I.  I could have chosen to stay in touch with them as easily as them staying in touch with me.  What matters is whether there is judgement at that point or friendship and hope of future contact.  At these times I have to be careful not to judge people for not keeping in touch as well as hoping they will not judge me for whatever raesons they think we have not kept in touch for.  Personal perspective and expectation makes such a difference and it is hard to remember that other peole have lives too sometimes (well, that is what I find hard often ... lol)
Peace
EF.x 



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ChefSharon
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | ChefSharon
Christianity and the Single Parent
You had a lot of good things to say.  Unfortunately, Christians can get smug in their own situationsor threatened by your NEW persona.  They just don't know how to treat you now that your status has changed, even though YOU haven't changed.   I've been very ill for a long period of time and now, climbing out of it, I run into people who have terrific guilt for not keeping in touch with me while I was down for the count.  While I was sometimes really feeling disappointed for being left alone, at the same time I have my girls, there are always meals to look after......and so I couldn't dwell on it very much.  I'm often surprised at people's reactions in seeing me out doing my grocery shopping or whatever and the guilt is often palpable!  I think people, instead of asking how you are doing, treating you as of old, just assume that you are different because of your experience and don't know what to do with you!  It is reassuring to know that God is unchanging and always comes through for you!


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      MissieK
April 2007 | MissieK
Christianity and the Single Parent

This is one of the reasons I'm glad we needed to change churches - it helps me feel more at ease, even though our old church was fantastic.

I'm also coming out of a long battle with post natal depression and still get the guilt from old friends - both Christian & non Christian.



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MissieK
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | MissieK
Great article :)
I have an amazing church who have been a great support to me and really show me and my kids the Grace of God.


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      lightbee
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | lightbee
Great article :)

That's awesome to hear.  That's definitely the way it should be.

Thanks for you comment!

Leith



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KathrynR1402
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | KathrynR1402
GREAT ARTICLE

Well done for writing this. I read it mostly coz I wanted to make sure I had a better understanding of what its like to be on that side of the fence, so I can be a little more sensitive about it.

It's happened to my s-i-l who unfortunately couldnt go near a church for a while without the words of her ex, a lapsed Christian (I believe), ringing in her ears "I hope you wont be a hypocrite and darken the door of a church after breaking your marriage vows to God & me". He was the 3rd of the 3 As, in case you didnt guess. Funnily enough it was her new man, not a regular church-goer, who got her back through those doors, saying he wanted the kids to go as a family to church. God moves in mysterious ways!

I'm sure there are problem individuals everywhere, but we are blessed in our church with so many single parents that they meet up regularly as a group. I believe it just started with one or two of the parents meeting up informally to support each other.



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      lightbee
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | lightbee
GREAT ARTICLE

Thanks for sharing that Kathryn.  It can be a really hard to understand if you haven't gone through it yourself, so I'm sure your s-i-l is grateful you're supporting her.

Thanks for your comments!

Leith



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nell18-3
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | nell18-3
Wish I read this years ago!
This is brilliant Leith
The church which should have been my spiritual family, turned their back on me yet embraced my ex, all because he told them he was sorry and wanted me to forgive him but I was an unforgiving person, as this is a basic principle of Christianity (forgiveness) they all judged me as going against God
I love your three A's and I know that God loves me and wants better for me that the life I was experiencing.
I do have a few Christian friends that have stuck with me and they have been fantastic but it still hurts to be rejected by so many ex friends who are Christians
Do they not think I questioned a Christian Divorce long and hard enough without their condemnation
I now go to a big Anglican Church with about 500 members and go in during the first hymn and leave during the last, this is my protection of being rejected by yet another Christian
I love this article, it would have brought me such peace 12 months ago now it brings me a feeling of being right with God
Thankyou
xxx


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      lightbee
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | lightbee
Wish I read this years ago!

Thanks so much for sharing all that Nell.  Here's to even greater peace for you!

Leith
xoxoxo



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cookclan
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | cookclan
I have a friend
Who stayed in her bad marriage because she was worried about what the church would feel about it...I thought that was a sad situation for her...But it was his free ticket to do what  he did to her....Nice article...
Mwah
Angie


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      lightbee
5.00 (Excellent) | March 2007 | lightbee
I have a friend

I think your friend's situation happens way too often.  I've also met people who have completely left the church as they couldn't stay in the marriage and therefore felt they couldn't stay in the church either.

I don't know that there's a solution, unfortunately.  But it's good to know you're not alone.



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           MissJojo
December 2008 | MissJojo
Re: I have a friend

So true.

My ex and I met through church, married, had 2 children baptised (or is it christened..) then when he left me for another woman I couldnt face the old church again so I "shopped around" for a new one. I am blessed to have found a wonderful church with many lovely people who have embraced me and my 2 kids into the various activities and I couldnt be happier with my change.

Sure, there are the odd crabby people who look down their nose at a single mum, but they are in the minority and although it hurts when you get one of those looks, I just try to ignore them and get on with it now.

I have a great bunch of (mostly single) ladies my age (around 40) who meet weekly for a small group bible study and a chat, and its a real blessing to have that small circle of trusted friends for prayer points etc. (Although I do still struggle with the trusting part and find it hard to be totally open fearing some kind of negative response form them, I really think thats me, not them.)

Thank you all for the great comments. Its so encouraging to read about other peoples experiences.

xox



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