The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions [Paperback]

Carol Floch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 3, 2009

When Carol Floch realized that her marriage was about to end and that she was about to join the ranks of moms left to raise their children on their own, she could not stop crying. She mourned her shattered hopes and grieved the loss of the family she had always dreamed of. But mostly, she cried for her children. Into Carol’s grief, regret and fear, God’s Spirit came with a message from Psalm 84: “Build your nest near my altar, and I will be your children’s source of security, protection, provision and blessing. In The Single Mom's Devotional, Carol tells her story and shares with the “sisterhood of single moms” how they can build their family’s “nest” in the protective shadow of God’s presence. Single mothers, whether on their own after a divorce or a husband’s death, will discover how to find true life in Christ and allow the strength of that inner life to be the compass by which they navigate an unpredictable future. Near God’s altar—the cross of Christ—is where single moms will discover life through relinquishment, power through dependence and hope through surrender. Anchored at the foot of the cross, readers will find daily security and hope as they nourish their souls and nurture their children at a place near God’s altar.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When Carol Floch realized that her marriage was about to end and that she was about to join the ranks of moms raising their children on their own, she could not stop crying. She mourned her shattered hopes and the loss of the family she had always dreamed of. But mostly, Carol cried for her children. Into her grief, regret and fear, God’s Spirit came with a message from Psalm 84: “Build your nest near My altar, and I will be your children’s source of security, protection, provision and blessing.”

In The Single Mom’s Devotional, Carol tells her story and shares how to build your family’s “nest” in the protective shadow of God’s presence.Whether you are on your own following a divorce or after a husband’s death, you will discover how to find true life in Christ—and how to allow the strength of that inner life to be the compass by which you navigate an unpredictable future. Near God’s altar— the cross of Christ—is where you’ll find life through relinquishment, power through dependence and hope through surrender. You will experience daily security
and hope as you nourish your soul and nurture your children in the nest you build, day by day, near the altar of God.

About the Author

CAROL FLOCH has ministered to women in every stage of life for more than 25 years. She has written Bible studies and numerous articles for Focus on the Family’s Single Parent magazine, has led retreats, workshops and support groups, and has mentored women to find deeper hope and security in Jesus. Her most significant and satisfying investment in women has been in her own home, nurturing her three daughters on her own since 2001. Carol is a counselor in private practice in Dallas, Texas, where she helped to design and launch “Parenting Alone,” a community ministry for single parents.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Regal (December 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830751610
• ISBN-13: 978-0830751617
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for every Christian single mom seeking God's direction, December 1, 2009

By 

Julie Dosch "A Christian Single Mom" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions (Paperback)

This book is absolutely wonderful. Carol so eloquently describes the apprehensions and fears we face as we endeavor upon single motherhood. The stories are so relevant, interwoven with real situations I have either faced or am facing. This is much more than a daily feel-good snippet seen in most daily devotionals. These devotionals could be used throughout a week. Each devotional has a couple of pages addressing some of the many issues faced by single moms, such as Fear of the Future, Redefining Life, Disappointments, Forgiving the Unforgivable, Trust, Waiting, Injustice, Running on Empty, Worry, Shame, and even Forgetfulness. Each of the 52 devotionals is broken into parts: A two-page reading, multiple relevant verses, topics for reflection, introspective questions that relate the topic into finding our place at His Altar (a theme throughout), suggested activities to involve your child(ren), and a place for writing notes.
Her introductory writings tug at my heartstrings: "How is it possible to be numb and feel pain at the same time?" (page 15), "God condescended to meet us at the broken places of our lives." (page 20), "Life... was like being shipwrecked during an extended hurricane season." (page 139), "When other relationships and roles are stripped away, the cross of Christ remains fixed in time." (page 28).
There is so much identification, application and encouragement all bundled up into this treasure. When it seems like the most vocal and well-respected Christian writers and speakers are part of intact traditional family structures, this book provides biblically-based encouragement from someone who really understands the heart of a single mom, as one who walks in our shoes daily.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Single Mom's Devotional = HOPE, December 6, 2009

By 

Prisca (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions (Paperback)

I have read some wonderful devotionals, but to read one that speaks so openly of the challenges that single moms face and then what happens when one places her hope in Christ...is like hearing one of my favorite hymns in church. It's medicine to the soul. As many great hymns were born out of harrowing circumstances, this book was born out of the anguish of being a single parent. Carol doesn't sugar-coat the challenges of single parenting--she spells them out! Being a single parent is hard, lonely, overwhelming, exhausting...the list goes on and on. But...there is HOPE.

My mom (a widow who raised five young kids), like Carol, had to move her family across the country and figure out what to do after two decades of being a housewife, had to say farewell to many dear friends and our childhood home and prayerfully find a new home, church, job, etc. But guess what, God wasn't and isn't finished! If you are a single mom, you can find HOPE and wisdom in this book and know that God isn't done with you! He adores you! His arms are open! You and your kids are still a family! You are not alone. I know, because I am a single mom of three, and sometimes it's all I can do to "show up", but God can do a lot with showing up. As Carol states in her book, "In my utter powerlessness, Jesus Christ became utterly powerful."

I encourage everyone to read this book...friends and relatives of single moms, pastors and counselors, teachers of students raised by single parents, etc. The trials and tribulations are spelled out here. Yet the assurance that the trials have passed through God's hands, and the wisdom from someone who has lived it daily, come together beautifully. The book spells out HOPE.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed resource for single moms, April 24, 2010

By 

Samuel J. Hodges IV "Sam Hodges" (Wake Forest, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions (Paperback)

Most books written to help single moms explain what single moms should do to make their lives easier. While those books are needed, Carol's book is different. The Single Mom's Devotional heightens a single mom's awareness of what God has done to help her. The result? Single moms who read this book will be refreshed, encouraged and find hope as they realize the practical implications of God's activity on their behalf.