Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

This is a beautifully written devotional that will provide encouragement and hope even in seemingly hopeless circumstances. It is filled with insightful truths that we all need to be reminded of no matter what our circumstances. Carol is so eloquent in her presentation and in sharing elements of her own personal experience. The format is also unique in that it offers not only the "short story" at the beginning of each chapter but includes relevant Biblical references, along with questions and themes upon which to ponder and reflect.

As I move through this journey of becoming a single mom, I am acutely aware of my solitude as I change from a married woman to a divorced one. Ms. Floch's personal story, supporting bible verses and activities for my children are a great comfort to me. It highlights Biblical references of where God speaks directly to me and to the circumstances my children and I face as we navigate through these uncharted waters. I would recommend this to any single mother balancing her children, her work, her faith. It will empower, comfort and guide you!

If you've ever been in a situation where others don't speak your language and then you run across someone who speaks English, you just want the conversation to keep going and going. That's how it was for me when I started reading this devotional. There was such a sense of camaraderie as I read the stories. Often times in the Christain community there are elephants in a room that never get spoken about. Being a single mom can be one of those elephants. This author does a beautiful job showing how faithful God is in what we often times never expect to be living. I highly recommend this devo for other Christian single moms.

I love this book! Very well written, easy to read, and filled with hope and perspective. The devotionals transcend single mothering and relate to all aspects of life. Powerful way to start the day. I strongly recommend getting this book!

As a newly single mom, I was excited to receive this book and thought it would be the uplifting book I needed to help me through the difficult time. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I found the devotionals to be very general and not necessarily specific to single moms. The anecdotes that were contained about being a single mom lacked any emotional connection with the reader. The connections between the anecdotes and the biblical principles and verses seemed forced and lacked meaningful connections.


Although not a devotional book, I found the book Single Moms Raising Sons: Preparing Boys to Be Men When There's No Man Around by Dana S. Chisholm to be a better resource for single mom's. Written from a Christian perspective, this book contains much more authentic connections to Christian principles and verses than this devotional. I would recommend Chisholm's book instead of this devotional.

I love my copy of the Single Mom's Devotional. It is worn out, but I will not replace it! I have referred to it again and again to find the scripture or topic that I need for that moment. I will not loan it out, however, I have purchased a few copies for those that I thought could use some encouragement like I have! Great book! It's practical, insightful, and I can relate to every topic (yes, all 52).

Being a single mom is challenging and finding single mom resources are also challenging; especially ones that focus on Christ. This book is a blessing. Carol has done an excellent job of using scriptures, times of reflection for self and with your children to encourage and feed your soul. I would recommend this book to single moms, as well as any woman wanting to get closure to the Lord.