Not a Statistic

Daphne Johnson — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:33:16 +0000

There are many negative statistics to indicate that the single parent household is the reason for the despair of children today. Poverty and lack, poor educational attainment, crime, and a cycle of aimlessness are often attributed to growing up in a single parent household. While this may be overwhelmingly true, I say to you that Christ makes the difference! With Him you do not have to be a statistic. Knowing who you are and whose you are will propel you to be above the crowd. Single mothers need to know this for themselves, and well as teach it to your children. You are not a statistic.

But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

-Isaiah 43:1

Prayer for today – Thank you heavenly father that we are heirs of your kingdom, sons and daughters of the King Most High. We’re grateful that we’re not defined by the world and it’s statistics. Thank you for all of the glorious possibilities available to us, through you.

Leaving a Legacy

Daphne Johnson — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:14:56 +0000

What will they remember about you when you’re gone? Stop and think about your legacy. It’s not only about making a living for today, but it’s also about keeping the faith, and sharing it with your children. It’s about having a mission and a vision for life that is greater than you …something that your children will gladly carry on after you’re gone home to be with the Lord. Leave a legacy that will not gather dust and wind up in the rummage sale. Light the torch and pass it on to your children, so that they may continue to run with it.

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children. - Proverbs 13:22

Prayer for today – O, that they might have an unwavering faith, the ability to be bold in their convictions, and willingness to share the good news as they carry on after I’m gone.

An Expected End

Daphne Johnson — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 15:05:19 +0000

Raising kids is challenging. I know husbands and wives together, that experience difficulty in raising their children, so certainly a single mother will encounter the same. Maybe you’ve cried and prayed with concerns for your children. Be encouraged, knowing that if you’re putting the right things in them, you can expect the right things to come out. What comfort it brings to know that according to the word of God, there is an expected end for our children. It’s a blessing to know that by pointing their souls towards Calvary, you’re doing the best thing for them. They’ll live without the latest and greatest gadget or fashion, but they won’t make it without Christ in their lives. They may not realize or understand it now, but one day they will look back and be grateful.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

-Proverbs 22:6

Prayer for today – Father I confess that I am not a perfect parent. Thank you providing guidance and instruction to help me raise my children according to your will.

Contest announcement

Daphne Johnson — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:57:47 +0000

I’m seeking entries of letters from children of single mothers to their moms. Letters will be published on my site, readers will be able to comment and vote. A gift will be provided to the mom whose child writes the winning letter. Entries can be sent to daphne@visioninspiredliving.com. Must contain the name and contact information of the sender and mom.

500 words or less.

Deadline to submit is May 1st.

Daphne K. Johnson
Author of Vision Inspired Living
Daily Inspirations for Single Mothers
www.visioninspiredliving.com

“And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
-Micah 6:8

Did You Say Thank You?

Daphne Johnson — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:35:20 +0000

Through it all, don’t forget to tell the Lord thank you. Thank you should be offered in good times as well as in bad, when there’s sunshine and when there’s rain in our lives. In everything give thanks. Thank you should be offered to God for His goodness, for His grace and mercy, for extending His love towards us and providing His only begotten son that we may have salvation. Thank you should be offered for Jesus’ authority over sickness, sin and death. Thank you should be offered that despite the enemy’s best attempts to take us out…we’re still here. Did you say thank you?

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name O Most High. -Psalm 92:1

Prayer for today – Lord I am so grateful for all that you are to me and my children. In all things I give you thanks.

For Such a Time As This

Daphne Johnson — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:56 +0000

Esther’s background and upbringing certainly made her an “unlikely” candidate for God to use for His purpose. Perhaps you’re shrinking from your purpose because you feel that God can use you. God can take any circumstance and cause it to work out for His glory and for our good. Take a moment to think about your life and your circumstances and ask if there’s something that God is trying to accomplish through you. Perhaps you feel as though you’re among the least likely to do anything great for him. To be chosen by him is the greatest blessing. Step up and allow him to work in you and through you. He will give you wisdom and courage.

“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
-Esther 4:14

Prayer for today – God, for the times I wondered “why” I recognize now that you always have a plan. I am in awe at how you work through the circumstances in my life, and I praise you for making all things work together for my good.

Better Not Bitter

Daphne Johnson — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:53:32 +0000

It’s been said that trials come to make you strong. Someway, somehow, God uses the rough seasons in life to produce something great in His children. After all of the disappointments, difficulties, and maybe even drama…something beautiful remains. Remember that a brilliant diamond started off as a chunk of coal. Diamonds are made under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure in the earth. We, being diamonds “in the rough,” shine forth with brilliance after the extremes and pressures in life have done their job. With this knowledge, we can become better and not allow the trials of life to cause us to become bitter.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
-James 1:2-4

Prayer for today – Dear God, though at times the pressures in life seem extreme, thank you for taking off the rough edges so that I may shine brightly for you.

Time To Grow

Daphne Johnson — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:50:22 +0000

How quickly they grow! How quickly they outgrow the new clothing and shoes you just bought! It was only yesterday, it seems, that they were coming home from the hospital. Crawling quickly turns to driving a car. A walk across the street quickly becomes a walk across the graduation stage. In the same way we see to their physical growth, we’re charged with seeing to their spiritual growth as well. Exposing children to worship, prayer, bible study and servanthood is as vital to their growth as milk, meat and vegetables.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

-2 Peter 3:18

Prayer for today – God please be with my children as they grow. Give them a hunger and thirst for knowledge of you and of your word.

You’re Not Mama and Daddy!

Daphne Johnson — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:40:23 +0000

So often we hear reference to single mothers playing the role of father in addition to being mother. While that phrase may be intended to shed light on the increased responsibility, it is erroneous to think that you can be both. You’re setting yourself up for burnout if you’re trying to be mother and father.

As a female, I realize there are limitations to what I am able to convey to my children from my perspective. I must rely upon the Lord to be their Heavenly father. God has so graciously provided positive males in our family that “stand in the gap” and provide much needed and appreciated assistance to meet this need in the lives of my children. God is concerned about the needs of single mothers. He will provide exactly what is needed for our families to survive and to thrive if we seek Him.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
-Psalms 68:5

Prayer for today – God, as I endeavor to do my part in what you’ve equipped me to do as a mother, I trust you to provide for my children’s every need. Where it seems that I am short, I know that you provide the wholeness and completion that our family needs.

Roots and Wings

Daphne Johnson — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:19:50 +0000

When children are young, we teach them the foundational things to help them function as they grow up. We help them to understand things such as obedience, sharing, caring for others, and introduce them to God and to faith. As they grow, it’s important to show them what they’re capable of becoming. We help them to learn to test their wings, and ultimately, to fly. Roots are necessary so that flying can be accomplished with assurance.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God
-Colossians 1:10

Prayer for today – Lord I pray that your word takes root in the hearts of my children, so that they will make good choices in life, and desire to be pleasing to you. Help them to desire to do right in your sight, when they’re out of mine.