Day 8: Care For Single Mothers

James summarizes the teaching of the New Testament when he says:

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit [care for] orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

James says that this is pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father. There is a negative side to this: keep oneself unspotted from the world. But the positive takes precedence: to care for the orphans and widows. Are you practicing that kind of religion? If not, who exempted you?

Let me tell you one thing that most of us could do. I have in my heart a real burden for single mothers. Most single mothers have a very difficult time. I believe the church has an obligation.

I said this to a brother once and he said, ‘Well, it’s their sin that got them into that trouble.’ That is not really the truth. But even if they were, where in the gospel does Jesus forbid us to show mercy to sinners? After all, they need mercy – as we all do But most of them are left struggling with a situation that they’re not really guilty for. I believe the church can do something for single mothers.

Let me say this to you: the key to happiness is not being loved, it is having someone to love. That’s what makes life exciting. You see, selfishness is a key to misery. You can be very spiritual, very committed, and still be pretty miserable. But there are people not very far from you who need your love. They may not be very lovable people. In fact, they may be a little bit bitter, a little bit angry, a little bit against God, saying, ‘He hasn’t treated me right. Why am I in this situation?’ But I want to tell you, if you really want to be happy, find somebody to love. It will make all the difference in your life.