6 Tips for Single Moms Leading the Home

Children are a gift and reward from the Lord. The Bible refers to them as “quivers in the hand of a warrior” (Psalm 127:3-5). Raising them is a joy but also an important responsibility that involves years of intentional hard work and investing in them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Every child is created by God and made in His image for a specific purpose, ultimately to reflect His glory. 

The Bible gives the structure for the home with Christ as the head, the father under His authority, the wife under Christ, and her husband, with children following behind (Ephesians 5:22-33). Each one is to submit to the other as God commands and every member of the family has a role and responsibility, and neither is greater or less than the other. Since the husband is to be the leader of the home, this would include leading his wife and children in all areas, including spiritually – he is the ultimate authority. It is beautiful when both Dad and Mom seek the Lord together, as one flesh, while using the gifts God has given to them individually. 

God designed families to have both a mother and a father. Together, they are to train their children in the way that they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Proverbs reminds us that the instructions of a father and the teachings of the mom are a lamp and a light, and we must “Bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light” (Proverbs 8:21-23).

When the husband/father is no longer an active part of the family because of death, divorce, or desertion, the mom is left to step into the leadership role, especially spiritually.

6 Imperatives for Leading Your Family Spiritually as a Single Mom:

1. Christ is the head of the home. His position has not changed, although the husband is no longer there. Allow God to lead you and act as your husband.

“For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 54:5, NASB).

2. God promises to be a Father to the fatherless. Even with the absence of an earthly dad, God is there.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5, NIV).

3. Seek the Lord in prayer and through His Word.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB).

4. Walk by faith and ask God for wisdom.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:5-6).

5. Remain steadfast in your calling as a mom to teach your children. Pray with them and tell them the stories of Jesus (Proverbs 8:21-23).

6. Allow God to use others in your lives. Be involved in a community of faith and connect with mentors.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).

Even though you never dreamed you would be a single mom, God will be faithful to you and your children. These are hard but exciting days. Expect miracles, infuse hope into your children’s hearts, and lead well. Do not shrink back from the responsibility that has been entrusted to you.