This week we're discussing Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire

Life as a solo parent rarely feels clean or compartmentalized. You can be deeply grateful for your kids and still feel overwhelmed. You can trust God and still feel disappointed. You can be functioning on the outside while quietly unraveling on the inside. In this episode, Robert Beeson, Founder & CEO of Solo Parent, and Elizabeth Cole, single parent, sit down with Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe and songwriter behind the multi-platinum hit "I Can Only Imagine," along with Shannon Millard, co-author of Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire. Together, they talk about chronic hardship, depression, loss, and what it looks like to keep showing up when healing does not happen the way you hoped.

Many solo parents wrestle with silent comparisons, believing they should not complain because someone else has it worse. Others feel emotionally absent but do not know how they got there. Some carry disappointment with God but feel afraid to say it out loud. These struggles matter because unspoken grief turns into isolation, and isolation quietly drains your strength, your presence, and your hope.

In This Episode, We Focus On:

• Gratitude and grief can coexist - You do not have to choose between being thankful and being honest about what hurts. Gratitude does not cancel grief. Both can live in the same space, and naming that tension is part of healing.
• Healing begins when you say it out loud - Isolation keeps pain powerful. Whether through counseling, community, or one trusted friend, speaking your struggle breaks shame and reminds you that you are not alone.
• Presence matters more than perfection - Your children do not need flawless. They need your willingness to return, repair, and keep showing up. Consistent presence builds safety and trust over time.

Holding grief and gratitude together is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about staying engaged in your life and your parenting even when it feels messy. You are not weak for struggling, and you do not have to walk this road alone.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire by Bart and Shannon Millard
• I Can Only Imagine 2
• "Even If"
• "Make It Well"
• Porter's Call

Stay Connected + Get Support:

• Download our Solo Parent App
• Join a Solo Parent Group
• Learn more about Solo Parent
• Follow us on Instagram