When a child loses their father, the question “Where’s Daddy?” can come at any time—and for a grieving mom, answering it can feel emotional and more challenging than the simple question asked. In this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids, we talk about how to navigate this tender moment with grace, wisdom, and biblical truth.

If you are a mom navigating deep grief while helping your child understand the loss of their father, this conversation offers biblical guidance and emotional support to remind you that you are not alone. God is near. He is a Father to the fatherless and will equip you in every hard moment.

You will learn:

• Why this question is often repeated, and how to prepare your heart to respond compassionately.
  

• How to communicate with young children about death.
  

• How to talk about heaven in a way a young heart can understand.
  

• What to do if your child’s father died by suicide or violence.
  

• How to share the hope of the gospel without oversimplifying eternal truths.

Other Resources:

Someday Heaven by Larry Libby

Hope Comes to Stay by Clarissa Moll

Helping Children Grieving Loss by Suicide Podcast Episode 129 with Lori Apon

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

Father’s Day can be a tender time for single mothers and children navigating life without an earthly dad. What once may have been a day of joy and tradition is now often filled with quiet moments, bittersweet memories, and unspoken grief. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how to approach the day with intentionality and hope.

Listeners will be encouraged to create new traditions that reflect the unique journey of their family. One suggestion is to shift the focus of Father’s Day to a personal Remembrance Day—honoring the day when God stepped in as Father in a new and profound way.

This episode is a reminder that Father’s Day, even in the absence of a dad, can still be a sacred space—one that brings healing, honors memories, and celebrates the steadfast love of our Heavenly Father.

Key take-aways:

• The history behind Father’s Day and its roots in single parenthood

• Practical ways to remember and spend this day

• Encouragement to lead the family with courage, honoring God’s promise to be a Father to the fatherless

Related Episode:Our New Father’s Day

Our New Father’s Day Podcast Episode 10 with Lori Apon

Scripture Highlight:Psalm 68:5 – “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

What happens when a young boy hears, “You’re the man of the house now”? This well-intentioned phrase can become a heavy mantle, especially in homes where Dad is no longer present, whether by death, divorce, or abandonment.

In today’s heartfelt and insightful episode, Lori Apon sits down with her son, Brandon, and son-in-law Ben for a powerful and honest conversation that every single mom raising sons needs to hear. Drawing from their personal stories, they unpack the meaning behind the phrase “man of the house” and offer wisdom for moms navigating this delicate dynamic.

You will hear about:

• The internal weight that boys often carry when they feel responsible for the family too early
  

• The difference between responsibility and authority—and why it matters
  

• Why mentorship and male role models outside the home are essential
  

• The role of a mother in guiding her son’s heart, not just his behavior
  

• Encouragement that God is at work in shaping these young men for His glory
  

Whether your son is 8 or 18, this episode will give you tools and perspective to help him grow in responsibility without robbing him of childhood—and remind you that God truly is father to the fatherless.

• Affirm your son's heart: It is natural for boys to want to help. Acknowledge their role without burdening them with adult authority.
  

• Distinguish authority from responsibility: Let your son grow into manhood without confusing him with leadership he is not ready to bear.
  

• Invite godly male mentors: Surround your son with trusted men who can reinforce the lessons you are teaching at home.
  

• Guide the stallion’s strength: You cannot change your son's God-given strength but you can shape his character and integrity.
  

• Trust God's timing: The process of growing into a man is not instant. Let your son take age-appropriate steps and trust that God is writing a good story.
  

Key Takeaways for MomsFor more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

This episode explores the hidden danger of self-pity and how it can hinder healing after loss. Listeners are reminded that while sorrow is natural, staying stuck in self-focus can lead to spiritual defeat. 

Drawing insight from Psalm 43 and 2 Samuel 12, the message highlights the importance of choosing surrender over bitterness and worship over despair. With encouragement rooted in Scripture, the episode points to God as the Good Shepherd who restores the cast-down soul and calls His children to trust Him.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-pity is a hidden enemy that keeps us from healing and leads to spiritual defeat.

• True worship is surrendering to God's sovereignty, even when prayers seem unanswered.

• David’s response to loss 

• A mother’s role in encouraging our children when grieving loss

Key Scriptures:Psalm 43:5, 2 Samuel 12:16–23, John 10:11, Luke 15:4–5, Psalm 23

Other Resources:

Pursue Perseverance Podcast Episode 165 with Lori Apon

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

Perseverance is not just a virtue—it is a lifeline for anyone walking through prolonged seasons of hardship, especially single or widowed mothers raising children without the presence of an earthly father. Life often presents unexpected trials, and the weight of daily responsibilities can feel overwhelming. 

In this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids, we explore what it means to persevere when the journey is long and hope feels distant. Through biblical truths, personal insight, and five practical strategies, this episode will equip you to press on with purpose, anchored in the faithfulness of God who sees, sustains, and strengthens you every step of the way.

Whether facing end-of-school exhaustion, navigating the summer months, or battling fear and discouragement, this episode reminds moms they are not alone—God is their strength, defender, and source of peace.

Key takeaways:

1. Perseverance defined

2. Practical tips for persevering

3. Encouragement for the anxious

Other resources:

My Fairytale Romance 

My Greatest Fear Becomes Reality Podcast Episode 3 with Lori Apon

Psalm 68:5 My Anchor Podcast Episode 4 with Lori Apon

From Fairytale to Reality: Lori Apon’s Journey of Faith and Forgiveness Podcast episode 162 Lori Apon on the Compelled Podcast, Part One

Holding Onto Hope: The Pain of Suicide vs. The Hope of Christ Podcast Episode 162 Lori Apon on the Compelled Podcast, Part Two

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

In this deeply moving episode of Raising Fatherless Kids, Lori Apon opens her heart to single moms navigating the emotional terrain of graduation season. As school years wrap up and caps and gowns are prepared, Lori reminds moms that milestones like high school graduation often stir unexpected grief for fatherless children—grief that may have been buried or long thought resolved.

Lori reflects on her own family’s journey, sharing her youngest son Micah’s touching letter to the father he never knew—honest words that give voice to what so many fatherless graduates may be silently carrying. With Micah’s permission, Lori reads from his letter and highlights key moments that illustrate the irreplaceable role of a dad—and the faithful, loving presence of God who steps in as Father to the fatherless.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why graduation can unlock hidden grief and how to create space to feel the loss
  
• Ways to affirm your graduate even in the absence of their father
  
• Practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement to help guide your child through this meaningful milestone.

Whether you are celebrating kindergarten, eighth grade, high school, or college graduation, feel the loss and the turn to a perspective of hope: God is the perfect Father who promises to be a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries. 

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Raising Fatherless Kids, host Lori Apon offers heartfelt encouragement and biblical hope to single moms carrying the weight of motherhood alone. Through real-life stories, biblical reflections, and powerful prayers, Lori honors the quiet strength and sacrificial love of mothers raising children without an earthly father's daily presence.

Whether you are a new mom, a grandmother, an adoptive or foster mother, or navigating motherhood after loss, this message reminds you that God sees you, supports you, and is with you every step of the journey. With reflections on biblical mothers—from Hannah’s prayers to Jochebed’s courage, Mary’s surrender, and the Canaanite woman’s persistent faith—this episode is a tribute to the holy and hard work of mothering through every season.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Encouragement for every type of mother: traditional, working, expectant, grieving, and spiritual
  

• Biblical examples of motherhood
  

• Treasures found in the dark seasons of single motherhood
  

• Reflection on the hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” as a reminder to keep your focus on God.
  

• 🙏 A prayer and blessing for moms in every season—from those longing to conceive to grandmothers leaving a legacy
  

Scriptures Shared:

• Genesis 16:13 – “You are the God who sees me.”
  

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you…”
  

• Psalm 68:5 – “A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows…”
  

• Galatians 6:9 – “Do not grow weary in doing good…”
  

• Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield…”
  

• Isaiah 45:3 – “I will give you hidden treasures stored in secret places…”
  

You may feel unseen or overwhelmed, but God has not forgotten you. He has treasures for you in the dark. He is your strength, your provider, your defender—and the faithful Father to your children.

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

In Part 2 of Compelled, Lori Apon shares how God faithfully upheld His promise to be “a Father to the fatherless and a Ddefender of widows” (Psalm 68:5) after her husband, Bobby, tragically took his life. Left to raise eight young children alone, Lori clung to God’s word, trusting that He would provide—and He did.

Through years of uncertainty and hardship, God’s provision came in miraculous ways: anonymous gifts, unexpected opportunities, and even full college scholarships for all eight of her children. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Lori watched her children grow into faithful followers of Christ, defying statistics and reflecting God’s grace. Now, as the founder of Perspective Ministries, Lori dedicates her life to serving widows and fatherless children, empowering them to trust God’s promises just as she did.

Key Moments:

• (01:20) Recap of Part 1: Lori’s journey through marriage challenges and tragedy.
  

• (06:30) God’s Promise in Psalm 68:5: A timely reminder of God’s presence.
  

• (15:45) Provision Beyond Imagination: How God met every need after Bobby’s death.
  

• (26:10) Raising 8 Children with God’s Help: The Apon family’s testimony of trust and faith.
  

• (38:30) Defying the Statistics: How God guided each of Lori’s children into adulthood.
  

• (46:00) A New Mission: Founding Perspective Ministries to care for widows and the fatherless.
  

• (55:45) Encouragement for Widows and Single Moms: Lori’s heartfelt words of hope.
  

Takeaway: Lori’s story is a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness. Even in the face of unimaginable loss, God provided, protected, and fulfilled His promise to be present in her family’s journey. Her story inspires us to trust that God is always working, even when we cannot see the full picture.

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

In this gripping episode of Compelled that originally aired on the Compelled podcast, Lori Apon shares her powerful testimony of love, faith, and perseverance. Lori met her future husband, Bobby Apon, at a NewSong concert after a providential introduction through a friend. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage, but their journey was far from a fairytale. Lori quickly learned that both she and Bobby were entering marriage with hidden struggles—Bobby battled an addiction to lust and pornography, while Lori was caught in the grip of an eating disorder rooted in a need for control.

Despite their love for each other and commitment to Christ, the Apons faced intense spiritual warfare, emotional challenges, and heartbreaking realities. Lori’s unwavering trust in God and her belief in His power to redeem even the darkest pasts carried them through moments of doubt and despair. Through raw honesty, Lori recounts her journey of forgiving Bobby’s past, navigating long-distance challenges, and facing the unexpected battles that arose within their marriage.

Key Moments:

• (00:00) Listener Disclaimer: Frank discussion of sexual sin.
  

• (01:30) Lori’s Introduction: Meeting Bobby and recognizing God’s plan for her life.
  

• (12:45) A Quick Engagement: a 45-minute conversation that led to a lifelong commitment.
  

• (21:20) Facing Bobby’s Past: A letter that revealed Bobby’s struggles and required Lori’s forgiveness.
  

• (34:10) A Wedding to Remember: A royal wedding filled with music, but unspoken struggles lingered.
  

• (44:00) A Shocking Question: The wedding night question that left Lori speechless.
  

• (54:30) Hidden Battles: Bobby’s continued struggle with addiction and Lori’s silent fight with an eating disorder.
  

• (1:08:45) A Turning Point: Facing addiction, control, and their deep need for God’s healing.
  

Takeaway:Lori’s story reminds us that true love and faith require facing difficult truths, extending grace, and trusting in God’s redemptive power. Though their marriage began with hidden struggles, Lori’s unwavering commitment to prayer and Bobby’s desire for freedom laid the foundation for God’s miraculous work.

Next Episode Preview:In Part 2, Lori shares how her greatest fear became a reality and how she navigated the most difficult season of her life, trusting God through unimaginable circumstances.

Listen to the Episode on the Compelled Podcast

For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

As Easter approaches, we pause to reflect on one of the most powerful and tender moments in Scripture—Mary at the foot of the cross. In this heartfelt episode, Lori Apon invites you to see Good Friday through the eyes of a woman who held the Son of God as a baby and watched Him suffer as Savior.

Through Mary’s journey—from the angel’s announcement to Jesus’ final moments—Lori draws out hope and encouragement for every single mom. Mary, a widow and mother, models what it looks like to ponder and treasure God's plan, even when we do not understand.

You will be reminded:

• That God is at work in the lives of your children, even through suffering.
  

• Jesus sees and provides for the widow and fatherless.
  

• Your role as a mother matters deeply in the unfolding of God’s redemptive story.
  

Key Scripture references:

Luke 2:19, 2:51; John 19:26–27; Hebrews 9:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Psalm 68:5, James 1:27

Song mentioned in this episode:

• Song: Mary, Did You Know?
  

Connect with Lori: If you have questions about knowing Jesus personally or just want to share your story, reach out at [email protected]. For more information and helpful resources, check our website, PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.