It's Not a One-Person Job

A friend of mine who happens to be single is a fan of "The Andy Griffith Show." "Have you ever noticed," he asked, "that many of the main characters on the show are unmarried?"

I hadn't noticed, but my friend is right. On the show, Sheriff Andy Taylor is a single parent. Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, Floyd, Howard Sprague, and Ellie Walker are single as well. According to www.tvdads.com, the site notes that many other TV shows featured single parents such as multi-millionaire Jed Clampett who provided for his niece and nephew in "The Beverly Hillbillies." Brian Keith was "Uncle Bill" Davis with two children to raise in "Family Affair." Redd Foxx was a single parent in "Sanford & Son." Lorne Greene played the role of single dad Ben Cartwright in "Bonanza," which someone jokingly described as a show "about a 50-year-old man with three 49-year-old sons."

The best stories about single parenting, though, are not fiction; they are real. Sir Isaac Newton's biological father died before Isaac was born. Isaac's mother remarried when her son was three years old, but her second husband died when Isaac was only 14. General Robert E. Lee was 11 years old when his father died. Some other well-known individuals brought up by single parents during all or part of their childhood include government leader Alexander Haig, baseball player Rickey Henderson, economist Alan Greenspan, and the founder of Domino's Pizza, Tom Monaghan.

Through a combination of guts, grit, and grace, hardworking single parents rear responsible, well-adjusted children. These moms and dads deserve our respect—and they could use our help. Parenthood is more than a one-person job. (What would Andy have done without Aunt Bea?) The support of caring friends and a healthy church can make a big difference.

Helping Out

Here are some ways I've observed Christians reaching out to single parents and their children:

Lawn-care ministry. I know a Christian man who mows lawns for several single moms throughout the summer, at no charge.

Inclusion in fellowship. Like other Christian adults, single parents appreciate being included in social gatherings and having the opportunity to use their spiritual gifts in the body of Christ.

Babysitting service. Volunteers watch the kids so single moms or dads can enjoy an evening out.

Holiday get-togethers. Other Christian families include single-parent families in their Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities.

Auto service. One Saturday a month, mechanically-minded volunteers invite single moms to bring their cars to a designated location for free oil changes and basic trouble-shooting.

After-school haven. Retired senior adults help working moms and dads by opening their homes to children and teens during those important after-school hours.

Recovery groups for divorcees and widows/widowers. Men and women wounded by divorce or grieving the death of a loved one find healing and mutual support by mingling with fellow-travelers who have been down the same road.

Men's day out. Young boys without a dad at home need to be around positive male role models. A church men's group can involve boys in sports events, mission trips, and service projects.

Like all of us, single parents need the support of other Christians. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Single parents have a tough job, but they can make it with a lot of help from God—and a little help from the rest of us.