+ prayer for a single mother +

Dear God, she seems to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders, but to carry it more lightly than I think I would. I see her balancing work and home, money and no money, friends who no longer make time to see her, and I send up a prayer for her.
Her old friends have moved on with their lives, and in truth, she doesn't have much in common with them anymore. She is lonely, loving God. She would like company but doesn't want to make time for new relationships because her waking hours are already full: she is a mother. She walks when gas is too expensive for the car and forgoes new clothes so her child can have shoes.
This is not how her life started out, but circumstances changed from her life of privilege to this life she embraces so fully. Her life is difficult and she seems so tired much of the time, but I am inspired by the love she has for her child.
Give her the strength to put in long hours each day; the courage to face those who dismiss her with blaming and knowing nods; the ability to maintain her loving life at home; and the deepest knowledge in her heart that you love her.

I found this online tonight and needless to say, it touched me very deeply. I realized in reading these words I'm not the only single mom in the world (not that I ever thought I actually was, this just opened my eyes more) and certainly not the least fortunate; my heart goes out to moms who struggle more so than I, that don't have the greatest family and network of best friends like mine or their childrens' father to help take care of them at all. Some days I feel like the world is caving in on me and I have cried out to God more times than I can say, in total dispair, but truly I am so blessed to have the material and spiritual gifts that have been given to me. I think about that little song we learned in church as children: Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Just a reminder, to myself.