Evangelical crusader Billy Graham has advice for the mothers of the 15 million-plus American children being raised without a father: "Church is the best place for single parents." While Graham said he is convinced that being a single parent is one of the most difficult and demanding responsibilities anyone will ever face, he hopes single mothers will seek God's wisdom and help as they raise their children.
Specifically, Graham recently was asked by the unmarried mother of two children if her boyfriend should be allowed to move in with them. Graham posted in his answer through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the Kansas City Star.
The single mother, identified as L.K., admitted to Graham she was nervous because she didn't think her boyfriend really was interested in the children. "They need a father, but I'm not sure he's the right one. I promised my grandmother I'd write you," L.K. penned.
Graham's response to L.K. was to urge her not to make her problems worse by allowing the boyfriend to move in with her. "It's tempting, I know, to seek help wherever you can find it, but this isn't the road you should travel," stated Graham.
"Not only will you put your children at risk of neglect or even abuse, but you'll also be giving them a bad example for their own lives. In other words, as they grow older do you honestly want them to live the same way you have? I doubt it."
Graham said the greatest message he could give L.K. is this: "God loves you. He loves you so much that he doesn't want you to continue seeking happiness in wrong ways, ways that will only bring you trouble. This is why God commands us to avoid sexual relationships outside of marriage. The Bible says, 'Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral' (Hebrews 13:4)."
The most important step L.K. could ever take is to commit her life to Jesus Christ, said Graham. "Ask him to come into your life today, and then ask him to give you the courage to turn your back on the past and begin following him."
"God knows all about the pressures you feel, and He wants to help you deal with them because He loves you," promised Graham.
"God's promise is for you: 'He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.' (Isaiah 40:29). God bless you."
