Blessings and Struggles of Single Moms

 

Robin Richards, age 36, from the greater Cleveland OH. Area, has been seeking after God since she was a little girl.  Growing up, she always knew that there was a deeper relationship with God that she desired.  In her mid 20’s she gave her life to Christ through a local Christian outreach ministry and seemed to be on the right track by following after Christ and serving in the ministry where she was gifted. Life had a way of pulling her awa,y when she took a job that required her to work on Sundays–missing Church and her friends that could keep her on the right track.  She found herself far away from God, pregnant, and uncertain about her future. 

After much prayer, counseling, and determination to get back her relationship with God again, she returned to Church, learning the true meaning of surrender and finally experiencing the real power and presence of God that He wants all that seek after Him, to experience.  

Robin is currently attending a large non-denominational church where she serves as a Bible study leader and patiently waits on The Lord for direction in her life. Being a single mom has been a blessing in disguise for her. It has taught her many life lessons and brought her into a closer and deeper relationship with her savior Jesus Christ.    

Robin, how did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?

I have a Café Mom group for single moms called: “Blessings and Struggles of Single Moms,” and I thought it would make things easy to keep the forum and the blog under the same name, by both sharing a ministry of reaching out to and encouraging single moms.  The name was voted on by my café mom forum members, and honestly it wasn’t my first choice, but I prayed about it and gave it to God, and He really laid it on my heart. I am so glad now. Looking back, it makes so much sense when I find myself writing and sharing with other single moms and what they are going through.   http://blessingsandstrugglesofsinglemoms.blogspot.com

What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I write mostly about what God is teaching me either through His word during my daily devotion time, or if I am struggling or being blessed in a certain area.  This past month has been full of growth and a roller coaster of emotions for me, but all in all, it has consistently brought me back to the feet of Jesus in surrender.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site? 

I started blogging out of curiosity of seeing others blog and wondered if it was something I wanted to get involved in as well. I think I launched my site sometime in the early summer of 2008 and just started out with one, which ended up growing out into 3 separate blogs.  Most of my spiritual growth though is shown in this one.

 

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post? 

It depends. I really blog more for quality and not quantity. I may go a few days or even a week w/o blogging because I want my content to have true meaning and purpose for not only myself, but also my readers. I want to use it to show others my strengths and weaknesses, to encourage and grow in my relationship with Christ, and get to know my fellow bloggers as well.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging? 

I am finishing up a few classes to complete my Bachelors in Business degree from Tiffin University and I am an avid Christian Music fan. I would love to go to more christian music concerts and events, but it’s hard with Olivia at this stage of our lives.  A few of my absolute favorite groups are The David Crowder Band, Switchfoot, and Mute Math; but I’ve been listening to CCM since I was a kid back in the 80’s, so I’ve seen a lot of movement within the industry since then, I could talk all day about it, lol. 

Right now, I spend a lot of time just being a mom, and trying to keep my life in balance for myself, and my daughter.  I attend my church regularly and try and stay involved and volunteer where needed. 

What struggle if any have you experienced with keeping your blog updated? 

I guess sometimes, just coming up with new and exiting content.  Because I have 3 separate blogs, I have to divide up my time and give equal posting to the others as well.  I’d actually like to merge them all together into one blog, but I haven’t quite figured out how I want to do that and what it would look like.  It would make it easier for readership and for me to be able to post in one place all the time.

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Wow, that’s a hard question. It kind of changes as I grow and discover more blogs that bring me closer to Jesus, and help to feed my soul.  A few of my favs that are always chiming in with encouragement are:

http://tamelasplace.blogspot.com/

http://www.poweruplove.blogspot.com/

http://persevere-lori.blogspot.com/

 

Is there a Bible verse that God has recently placed on your heart? 

That would have to be Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future”. 

Right now, God has me in a season of waiting, and so I am learning to place my whole being in who He is and His promises for me as I seek to grow and serve Him here on earth for His Kingdom. 

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing? 

I am blessed that God has allowed me to share my heart in this way, through CWO, blogging, and social networking.  I hope that single moms will come by and visit my blog and/or the cafemom forum and know that they are not alone in their journey as parents.  We all as human beings need each other to lean on and find support through. 

My hope is that we will do more of that online and off line as well in our churches, communities, and families; because we are the body of Christ here on earth, made to serve and love and be Jesus to the world.  

Visit Robin at her blog: 
http://blessingsandstrugglesofsinglemoms.blogspot.com

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