God's Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single-Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well

After the death of her husband, Anna Meade Harris discovered that single-parent families don't seem to have a place in the local church. Because she and her kids no longer fit into the Christian family mold, the body of Christ felt alien and strange when Anna's family needed it the most. Belonging, even in the most loving church, was a challenge. God's Grace for Every Family was born out of Anna's desire to help other families avoid feeling the loneliness that hers felt. This gospel-centered work addresses the single parent who needs to know that God sees, loves, and cares for their family. The book also addresses the church at large, in the hopes that Christians will come to understand the unique needs of single-parent families and do a better job of welcoming, valuing, and loving them. The book begins with Anna's story and then presents information about single-parent families in America, providing an understanding of their unique needs and complex dynamics. The chapters that follow each focus on a particular area of need and contain:
• Exegesis of Scripture demonstrating the character of God in relationship with his people
• Short narratives collected through interviews with single parents from a variety of backgrounds
• Suggestions for how the church can serve God and families

This book is written for all Christians, married or single, parent or childless. It's written for widows, divorcees, and those who never married. And it's written for the congregants, pastors, leaders, and church family who wants to embrace every family and learn how to serve them well. By addressing families and the church together, God's Grace for Every Family opens the door for gracious conversations and greater unity in the family of God.

Publisher: Zondervan
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9780310154686

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Anna Meade Harris has been a single mother to three sons since the death of her husband in 2010. She is the Senior Director of Content at Rooted Ministry and co-host of the Rooted Parent Podcast. She loves to write and speak about the goodness of God. A graduate of Wake Forest University with a double major in English and History, Anna holds a master’s degree in English Literature. A member of Church of the Cross in Birmingham, Alabama, Anna loves reading, dancing, hiking, chocolate, and the Crimson Tide. She also loves the outdoors and can’t decide which state is prettier: Alabama or Idaho. 

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“I began God's Grace for Every Family, identifying immediately those who would benefit from reading it: my recently divorced neighbor, my recently widowed friend. When I finished this book, however, I'd gained a much deeper appreciation for the gospel comfort it offered to all kinds of readers. Through stories of single parents, Harris helps us trust God's plentiful provision and presence in seasons of need. Moreover, she inspires and instructs the church to act as God's hands and feet. As a book that is biblically faithful, intensely practical, and personally vulnerable, I have many reasons for heartily recommending God's Grace for Every Family.” Jen Pollock Michel, Author of A Habit Called Faith and In Good Time