Mother’s Day often brings to mind a heartwarming image: children and their father bustling in the kitchen, preparing breakfast in bed for mom. The little ones pile into bed, giggling and showering her with kisses, handmade cards, and freshly picked flowers. Dad arrives with a tray of pancakes, beaming with love.

Although this is the scenario typically envisioned for Mother’s Day it does not reflect the reality for all mothers. For single moms, this isn’t their reality. Instead, Mother’s Day begins like any other morning. The kids are hungry. The to-do list is long. There’s no one else there to plan a surprise or carry the load.

My childhood best friend growing up was raised by a single mother. I never saw her as different than other friends just because her dad wasn’t in the picture. My dad welcomed her and her older brother into our lives, playing basketball, tennis and board games with us. My parents came to their events, supported their milestones, even traveled out of state for graduations from college and post-secondary programs. During my childhood years I was unaware of my father’s significant actions and the impact it made on that family.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

Having this modeled for me as a child seemed like a natural way to treat single moms, but, as an adult, I began to notice how easy it was to forget these women. My parents made the choice to pursue a relationship with this family. What seemed easy and natural to me as a child actually required intentional sacrifice and effort.

Many of us remember when the phrase, “What Would Jesus Do?” became popular. When a single mother walks into church, I ask myself, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” As I think about Christ’s earthly ministry, I remember how much of His time was spent serving the forgotten people in His community. Jesus showed love in tangible, meaningful ways.

Thinking about Jesus’ example in ministry moves me to compassion. I can help carry a baby. I can play catch with the rambunctious boy after the service. I could go to the teenager’s football games on Friday nights. I can drop a few groceries on a single mom’s porch.

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Reaching out to single moms might require extra time and effort from you and your church family, but Jesus showed us that these women are of great value to Him. Each and every mom has been tasked with the sacred work of raising the next generation. Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate and support them.

In 2021, our paths crossed with Sean Teis, founder of God is My Dad, a ministry created to support fatherless families. Sean’s father grew up in a fatherless home then, years later, left Sean and his family. Sean then grew up with a single mom and eventually lived with his grandparents. He knows firsthand the impact a loving church can have. Sean desired to break the cycle in his own family, and it was because of men in the church who stepped up to show him how to be a man he was able to change the course of his family.

When Sean shared his vision for Bible studies and support groups for single moms across the country, my husband and I felt called to help. Our church supported the vision as well. Despite numerous attempts, we were almost ready to give up on creating a group for single mothers in our community. We wanted to follow God in this area, but we weren’t sure of what to do next. Then, God brought a new couple into our church family in 2024.

Over coffee, they shared their testimony. She had once been a single mother, raising her daughter alone, until God brought a man into her life who embraced them both as family. Inspired by her journey we prayed about asking her if she would be willing to lead a single mom’s group. When we asked her, her face lit up at the opportunity to help single moms in our community. Remembering how a church once wrapped her in love, she was delighted to offer that same love to others.

Since then, God has blessed this ministry. Our church body now serves five single mothers with other single moms joining when they are able. The children attend youth classes, learning about Jesus, while their mothers are spiritually refreshed and encouraged. We are overjoyed at what the Lord is doing through this ministry!

Whether you are a ministry leader or a church member, God wants to use your gifts for His glory. Can I encourage you to remember the forgotten moms of your community this Mother’s Day? This is just one area of ministry in which we can ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” It could mean offering a small gesture of kindness or it could mean making plans to meet a long term need as God directs and opens doors. Either way, you will probably have the opportunity to show the love of Christ to a mom who has been forgotten this Mother’s Day. Let’s open our arms, our hearts, and our churches to them—so they and their children can experience the transforming love of Christ.