GOD IS MY SHIELD

Psalm 3:1-3 KJV
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

HAPPY MARVELOUS MONDAY, sisters!

My family and I were researching the history of Switzerland. Switzerland is a very beautiful nation in which we hope to visit one day. While reading an account of Swiss history, we stumbled upon a very sore chapter in their national history. 

Up until the 1970s, a government policy called "Verdingkinder" or "contract children" was in effect. Under this policy, children of poor families, especially single mothers, were taken by the state and placed in a foster care system; parents were legally helpless and could do nothing to stop the government. The "contract children" scheme was essentially state-sanctioned kidnapping.

Once entered into the foster care system, single mothers rarely ever saw their children again as they were taken far from home. Then, the children were forced into a life of hard labor on state-run farms. The children of single mothers were abducted and enslaved. 

Can you imagine the heartbreak and despair that overwhelmed single mothers (and poor families)? Many of these women probably finished out their days depressed and destitute or perhaps, they died prematurely due to broken hearts. 

Ladies, we are incredibly blessed. We are blessed with the freedom to parent our children. The legal recognition and protection of a single parent headed home, especially a single woman, is a fairly new idea. Praise God for his providential sovereignty! 

Some among us are foster parents; it is a huge blessing to be a mother in a single parent home PERIOD! Many years ago, foster children weren't even so fortunate to be placed in the loving care of a single woman; they were instead placed in institutions or on hard labor farms.

So many assaults and attacks have come upon vulnerable single mothers over the years in many countries. The biblical response to widows and fatherless children is love and support but, often single women and children are met with scorn, shame, ostracism, and, at worse, exploitation and abuse. 

Oh sisters, I don't know what you are fighting today, I don't know what burdens you are carrying, but, you can rejoice today because of the faithful mercies of God. Because of his loving kindness, we are not consumed. Great is the Lord's faithfulness unto us. Somebody shout, "hallelujah."

If your children are living under your roof and the government hasn't kicked down the door in the darkness of night to steal your kids, you are blessed!!!!!! YOU are incredibly blessed. Sisters, you are blessed beyond belief. 

As I write this message, some among us are involved in heated custody battles. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for our sisters' protection and their kiddos' protection. Please pray that God's favor and grace be upon them. PLEASE pray for the Lord's wisdom and guidance to lead and direct them and their legal counsel. PLEASE pray for sympathetic judges that will righteously legislate.

It's very hard fighting the government to end such wretched policies as the "contract children" scheme but, it seems very unnatural and utterly dehumanizing to fight your own "flesh and blood" for relief from injustice and abuse. Please remain prayerful! We can never stop fighting for our parenting freedoms. 

Ladies, please take a moment and pray for our sisters that are inundated with legal battles. Ladies, please take another moment to thank God for the incredible blessing and freedom to parent as a single mom. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His holy name. AMEN!

Love, blessings, and hugs to all