To The Single Girl On Mother’s Day

Dear Single Girl,

I see you—working, giving, serving, loving, doing your best to navigate the minefields of life. I’m glad you’re choosing to keep pursuing the life you’ve been given, even when your dreams of having a family of your own has shriveled up and what you hoped to be hasn’t happened yet. You are a beautiful soul, with a beautiful life…but I recognize, it doesn’t mean it is an easy life. Even in the midst of hard days, Single Girl, I hope you know that you are seen. Your struggle to figure out where you fit in among social statuses and peers who have moved on isn’t forgotten. Your dreams matter, my friend, even when they lie dormant in the shadows of your heart.

Women were created to bring forth life, and I know how painfully incomplete you can feel of your God-given design as a Single Girl on Mother’s Day.

I recognize how your soul aches and feels alone when you watch others celebrate this season that you want most, silently crying because there will be no crayon-drawing cards done by little hands for you. On the other hand, I feel how your heart shatters into a million pieces when you hear people criticize and complain about the children they’ve been given, when you’d give anything to have a family of your own. I see that for the Single Girl on Mother’s Day, it can feel like a mockery where you’re reminded once again of what you don’t have, or how you don’t truly fit in with all your married-mother friends.

Yet here’s the truth, Single Girl—to be a mother is to be a nurturer and a life-giver…and that is in every woman’s DNA, regardless if you have children of your own.

The truth is, Single Girl, that you are a mother in your heart and soul—and it is not hidden to the world. Every child you love, every sticky face you kiss…they may not be children of your body, but they are children of your heart. You play a crucial role in raising them up, and your time with them is etching memories across the span of their childhood.

This Mother’s Day, you don’t have to hide in the background—you can stand tall and without shame, even when there are no floral bouquets or handprint mementos coming your way.

You can be proud that you have a hand, Single Girl, in rocking multitudes of cradles, transversing many homes, of those who will one day rule the world. Your influence goes beyond generations, imprinting little minds and hearts with love. You may not hear appreciation often enough. Your singleness may be taken advantage of by assumptions of free babysitting. You may feel alone and without purpose, drifting in the seas of longing and feeling like you are less-than because you don’t have a family of your own. But Single Girl, I see you. I see the mother in you, and I will speak it loud and clear:

I recognize the mother in you as you take care of nieces and nephews.

I applaud the mother in you as you read stories to your friend’s children.

I celebrate the mother in you as you play games with the neighbor kids down the street.

I acknowledge the mother in you as you rock to sleep the babies you nanny for.

Single Girl, this Mother’s Day, I hope you know how important and special you are. You are more than a single status—you are a woman, with wells of precious emotions, dreams that are daring to be explored, and bravery as you step into broken places to bring God’s love and healing where it is needed most. You play a crucial role in this world, and your input and influence is needed. Don’t stop, friend. Don’t give up. You have precious jewels of dozens of little arms around your neck, spanning homes and cultures, loving you with gratitude.

Happy Mother’s Day, Single Girl. We applaud you today, too.