DAY 5: Double Duty Mom

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amber Tranetzki, Stay at Home Mom, Administrative Assistant to her family businesses, serves on the worship team and in the women’s ministry at Elevate Community Church, Honolulu, Hawaii. Loving wife and mother of 2 beautiful girls. 

BIBLE VERSE:

“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 NIV

APPLICATION:

Can I tell you a secret? I’ve struggled with trust most of my life. I didn’t realize how much of a struggle it was until my relationship with the Lord reignited about six years ago and my only option was to trust him. I was about to enter a season I didn’t dream of, didn’t plan on, and struggled to realize and accept. I was faced with the bold reality that I was a young single mother of not one, but two young fragile girls. 

Being single and alone is a season all in itself with its own set of trials, growing periods, and moments of defeat. Add motherhood to that. Every day came with internal doubts that tore down the woman in me, and another set that tore down the mom in me. It was a constant battle of trying to be the best version of me in my broken state, and trying to care for my daughters the best way I could. 

It took time, but I began to find a good balance.  My relationship with the Lord continued to grow. The promise I hold onto even today,  is to “trust in him with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding.” This season of single motherhood, although it wasn’t ideal, it ushered growth to happen in my life. My trust and faith in the Lord increased. I was confronted with the fear and pride that guided many of my wrong choices. I began to realize that my voice and strength had been suppressed. Most importantly, this season in my life taught me to forgive. There can be no forgiveness without trust. 

God’s plans always outweigh our own.  Only God knows the end of your story and He can even surprise us! After 4 years of being separated, and working through the hard things, by the grace of God, we got back together! You read that right. 

What I didn’t see was that during those four years, God was at work behind the scenes of my life and in the life of the father of my girls. It can only be a God testimony. When I say that not only was the relationship with the father of my children restored but my family was too!  Although there’s no such thing as happily ever after, I am happy to tell you, we are now doing life God’s way -  as husband and wife!  

To the moms who are carrying twice the load, you are enough and you are doing the best that you can. I see you. I hear you. You are not alone. You are still worthy of love. Your story might not end like mine but I promise you, God knows how the story ends and He is working behind the scenes of your life to restore the things you don’t understand. 

PRAYER:

Father, I pray for the woman reading this. I ask, Holy Spirit, that You would comfort and heal every broken part - every part that feels alone and abandoned. I pray that You would fill those places with Your peace and love. I pray for Your strength and grace to cover her. I ask that You would send her little God-reminders that she is loved. I pray a blessing over finances, support, and an increase in all ways. I speak a blessing over her children - that they would be protected and safe at all times. Thank you Father for your faithfulness and unconditional love. Thank You for being our ever-present help no matter the time, no matter our condition, no matter the circumstance. Thank You for being that one that never changes, the one that remains regardless. God, there is no one like You, and we acknowledge that and praise You. In Jesus' name, Amen.