A Single Mom Blooms like a Cactus

My favorite plant is the cactus. Many find it so unusual as a cactus is known for its thorns and not being what many consider to be a beautiful flower, like let’s say the water lilies. But I like them for many reasons. They are plants that can survive with little water and can survive the hottest temperatures possible. But more importantly, when the cactuses are placed from an area of darkness to a space with light, they bloom flowers. This is why in my first meeting of MOPS Single Moms, I wanted to give each mom a cactus.

How I Started MOPS for Single Moms

This is the story I told Bona the first time I met her and we talked about starting MOPS Single Mom.

I had heard a little about MOPS, and I thought it was only for moms that had children in preschool, and my son, at the time, was 10 years old. That’s why when my friend Anila approached me and asked me if I was joining a MOPS group, I looked at her and smilingly said, “I only know single moms.” 

She looked back and said, “You can start a group to help them.”

Finding Hope in God

I grew up in Albania, a communist country for 50 years. During my 39 years of living, I have seen communism fall and the transition to democracy, seen exodus in 1992 where people were leaving the country to provide for their families the bare necessity, a civil war in 1997 where anyone and everyone could have a gun while there were no military or police active. And in between events, there have been destruction, crime, drugs, and the list that goes on and on.

At a very young age, I found Christ and gave my life to Him and started living for Him. So from that moment on, I don’t remember a time without God in it.

Living & Blooming

When I was introduced to MOPS, God had healed me inside out. I had been remarried for a year after 7 years of being a single mom. I had started to smile again because I had realized that though I had been through a lot, I was still standing, and after a long time now, I was not surviving – I was living. I had experienced the fact that He loved me and that the plans He had for me were plans to give me a future and hope. And this is what I wanted for every single mom in Albania, and I realized that with MOPS, I could do that. My pastor and his wife, Roland and DeAnne Sula, have said something that has stuck with me in reference to MOPS, “If you are able to reach a mom, you can reach a nation.”

Now a few years later, when I see moms that have found God, are successful, and are living instead of just surviving, I know that going to that meeting with Bona and starting MOPS was an arranged meeting from God.

God’s Promise for Single Moms

“You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah, for the LORD will take delight in you.”

– Isaiah 62:3-4 

These verses remind me of what God’s promise is for these women and what my vision is for these moms. Even though things look hard and at times impossible, I know that with God, everything will always be possible.