July 21, 2025 • 19 mins
In this episode of It’s a Single Mom Thing, Sherry takes it from the court to the heart—literally. Using the game of pickleball as a powerful (and hilarious) metaphor, she unpacks what this fast-paced sport can teach single moms about spiritual focus, mental resilience, and staying on mission in the middle of life’s messiest matches.
Whether you’re feeling intimidated by your current season, frustrated with your pace of progress, or straight-up ready to throw your paddle and walk off the court—this one’s for you.
🎯 Learn how to:
- Stay focused on what matters (just like Peter kept his eyes on Jesus in the storm)
- Handle emotional curveballs with grace instead of reaction
- Recognize the spiritual warfare that comes through distraction
- Set an example for your kids who are watching your “gameplay”
- Serve with purpose—on and off the court
👟 Sherry shares her real-life (and real-funny) experiences as a competitive pickleball player and uses them to encourage single moms to keep showing up, even when they feel behind.
💡 PLUS: If you need someone to pray with you, our 24-hour prayer line is here:
📞 855-822-PRAY (that’s 855-822-7729)
💬 Because when you’re in a pickle, you don’t quit—you play pickleball.
It's a Single Mom Thing, Not the Single Thing That Stops You!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for
single moms by single moms.
This is Sherri, your host, andI am happy you are here today.
Remember it's a single momthing and not the single thing
that stops you.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Welcome back, mamas, to anotherepisode of it's a Single Mom
Thing, where we keep it real, wekeep it raw and we sprinkle in
just enough sass to remind youwho you are and whose you are.
Now listen, if you know me atall, then you already know this
one's going to be a part peptalk, part paddle smack.
(00:37):
Oh yeah, and 100% sherry,because today we're talking
pickleball.
That's my favorite sport,that's right.
Pick L-E ball and before youroll your eyes or hit skip, let
me tell you why this court hasbecome my mission field, my
(00:58):
therapy, and a surprisingly holyspace where God keeps showing
up paddle and hand.
See, I am a longtime athlete,super competitive.
Like I'm talking, pray for theperson on the other side of the
net, competitive.
Now.
I used to get so frustrated withthis sport.
(01:18):
It looked so simple I mean,it's a wiffle ball, a net and a
paddle.
But honey, looks can bedeceiving, just like life and
just like single motherhood.
But somewhere between the slamsand the soft shots I realized
this wasn't just a game, it wasa training ground.
(01:40):
So what in the world doespickleball have to do with you
and your season as a single mom?
Well, I am so glad you asked.
Let's rally into this one Fromfrustration to fascination.
Let me just say this up frontPickleball does not care how old
you are, how tall you are orwhat size leggings you rock on
(02:03):
the court.
This game does not discriminate.
Instead, it humbles everybodyequally.
I remember one of my first gamesTrue story here.
Okay, I got absolutely spankedby a man who was at least three
decades older than me I'mtalking.
(02:23):
He was 80 years young khakishorts, orthopedic shoes and a
paddle.
That was sure to spank me hard.
And, sis, he schooled me likeit was PE class and I forgot my
gym clothes.
Talk about humbling.
That's when I learned a realquick don't judge a book by its
(02:44):
cover and definitely don't judgea pickleball player by their
arthritic joints.
Here's the other thing whenyou're first starting out, they
don't ease you in with thenewbies.
Oh no, you just jump right inwith players of all skill levels
, most of them who've beenplaying way longer than you, who
already know the rhythm, thetricks, the lingo.
(03:06):
And let me tell you, it can beintimidating, it's frustrating
and it's humbling.
It's the kind of experiencethat'll make you want to throw
your paddle down, storm off thecourt and swear you'll never
come back next week.
Been there, done that.
Sound familiar.
Are there areas of your liferight now that feel like that,
(03:30):
where I don't know you're doingyour best, but everyone around
you seems to be steps ahead ofyou, where maybe you feel like
the rookie mom, the last tocatch on, the one trying to
survive the game, while everyoneelse is playing it like a pro?
Oh, mama, I have been there.
But here's what I love aboutthis sport and what God has used
(03:54):
to show me over and over againPick a ball.
It meets you right where you'reat.
It doesn't matter your age,your height, your fitness level
or even if you've never pickedup a paddle before.
If you are open to learning,you can grow your game.
And trust me, that's a wholeword right there for life and
(04:15):
single motherhood, just likethis journey as a single mom.
Pick a ball it is strategic.
You have to be willing to learn, adapt and show up with a
mindset that says I may not haveit all figured out, but I came
to play and let me tell you it'sa game that refines you, not
(04:37):
just how you move on the court,but how you show up off the
court, the players on the courtand the people in your life.
So here's the fun part Once youget past the intimidation and
start actually playing, youquickly realize pickleball is
way more than just a paddle anda plastic ball, because once
(04:59):
you're on that court, honey,you'll meet every personality
under the sun.
You've got the dinkers they'reslow, patient, soft at the net,
working the game with finesse.
Then you got the slammersthey're just out there to
dominate Power over precision.
It's a full send.
Then you got the lobberstossing that ball high like it's
(05:22):
their job to test your patienceand your cardio.
The strategist who'scalculating every move, like
they've got NASA data on yourfootwork.
And then you have the talkers,not just talking to you, oh no,
but sometimes talking at you.
And then you've got the oneswho talk more smack than return
serves.
Whoo, lord, help us.
(05:46):
And if we're being honest, someof these people yes, they remind
us of the folks in our reallives.
You know that one coworker whoalways tries to one-up you, or
the ex who knows exactly how toget under your skin, the friend
who plays mind games instead ofbeing real, or even our own
(06:08):
internal voice that tries totell you you're not good enough.
And then then there's the gamewithin the game, the mental
match going on in between yourears.
Oh yes, have you ever beenthere?
So if you've never played picka ball, or if you have played
pick a ball, you're going tounderstand this scenario.
(06:30):
I'm about to give you Okay.
So you go to take a simple shot,and that's the one that's
floating in the air like a slowmotion movie moment, and in your
head you are already picturingthe perfect return as you look
at the ball, only completely towhiff it, or you try to dink it
(06:51):
softly over the net, and insteadit barely taps your paddle and
drops like a rock on your sideof the court.
Oof, that is a major oof.
Then there's your partner.
Maybe they're frustrated withyou, or you're frustrated with
them.
Maybe they're playing in theirhead, hitting the ball out of
(07:13):
bounds, and you can't say whatyou really want to say because,
well, jesus is watching, gets meevery time if I'm honest and
let's not even get started onthe loudmouth opponent on the
other side of the net trying tobait you into your reaction,
because you're crushing them andthey can't handle it.
(07:35):
It is in those moments that Ihave realized this is life.
This is motherhood, this isfaith.
Actually, this is spiritualwarfare.
And sweatpants and sneakers.
The game is never just the game.
Focus on the ball, not thebackground noise.
So let me be real for a fewseconds.
(07:58):
It is way too easy to getpulled into the noise On the
pickleball court and in lifethere are always distractions
waiting to throw you off yourgame, whether it's a petty
player talking trash, someonewho drilled you with the ball
and didn't even apologize, or apartner who's playing like their
(08:20):
paddle is made of spaghettinoodles.
It is too tempting to react, tomatch energy, to get snarky.
Snap back or check outaltogether back or check out all
together.
And, if you're like me,competitive, assertive and maybe
(08:41):
one temper tantrum away fromflipping that paddle like a
pancake.
Oh, it is a whole battle, aspiritual battle.
But here's what I've learnedand there is always something to
learn if you're looking for itand what God keeps reminding me
every time I lace up those ASICsneakers.
Oh, yes, this is what he'stelling me.
The moment I stop focusing onthe ball and start focusing on
(09:04):
the drama, I lose my rhythm, Ilose my peace, I lose my purpose
.
The real opponent isn't theperson across the net.
Oh no, it's the voice in yourhead that says they don't
respect you, girl, you are notgood enough.
Why are you even out here, orwhy even try, if you're just
(09:26):
gonna mess up and hit the ballin the net anyway?
But hear me, ladies, thosevoices are not from God.
That's the enemy, baiting youinto battles you were never
meant to fight.
And, let's be honest, that samething happens off the court too
, when you're focused more onhow your ex is parenting than
(09:47):
how you are growing, when you'recomparing your highlight reel
to someone else's Instagramfilter, when you get so caught
up in the chaos that you forgetyour calling and listen.
The enemy just loves adistracted woman, because a
distracted woman, oh, she is adisarmed warrior, but a focused
(10:08):
woman, oh, she is dangerous.
That's why, in the heat of thematch, when my blood pressure
rises and my flesh wants to takeover, I've learned to breathe
refocus and pray.
Oh yes, even on the pickleballcourt, eyes on the ball, ears
(10:30):
tuned to the spirit, heartanchored in grace, because when
I focus on what really mattersmy footwork, my form, my faith I
play better, I live better.
I walk away knowing I stayed onmission even when everything
around me tried to pull me offcourse.
(10:51):
The court as my calling stayingon mission.
You know what else I've come tolove about this game the people
, the randomness, the divineappointments I didn't see coming
.
You see, I have met people onthat pickleball court.
I probably would have nevercrossed path with path path
(11:11):
P-A-T-H-S with otherwise.
I have had a hard time tryingto get that out.
People have differentbackgrounds, different beliefs,
different walks of life and yethere we are swinging paddles at
a wiffle ball, sweating it out,talking smack and, in between
rallies, swapping life stories.
If you know one, pick a ballplayer, you eventually know 20.
(11:34):
And before you know it, yourphone's buzzing with hey, pick
up a game at six or want to subin tonight?
Courts are open, come play.
And you better believe I showup because it's not just about
the sport anymore.
Oh no, it's my mission field.
I walk onto that court knowing Iam not just here to play, I am
(11:55):
here to represent, I am here tolove well, serve with grace and
show mercy, especially when it'snot deserved, because there's
only one person who wants me totake the bait and act like a
fool and let me tell you it'snot Jesus, and when I do start
to lose it because I do, whensomeone's being petty, when I
(12:18):
get drilled with the ball andthey don't say sorry, or when
someone's clearly playing dirty,I remember who I am and whose I
am, and I whisper at time totime a little prayer oh Jesus,
help me focus, help me fight theright battles and help me stay
on mission and bridle my tongue,because the real win isn't the
(12:42):
scoreboard, it's the legacy Ileave, it's the example I set,
it's the fruit of the spirit I'mcultivating every time I don't
pop off, every time I don't walkoff or give up.
And mama listen, don't forget,there are little eyes watching
your gameplay.
Your kids may be on the benchright now, but they're watching
(13:06):
how you serve, how you respondand how you handle the tough
calls and the dirty shots.
They're learning what it meansto show up with some grit and
some grace, because one day,soon, they'll be in the game too
, and how you play today becomestheir playbook for tomorrow.
So don't take the bait.
(13:27):
Don't play the enemy's game,play God's, and show your kids
what it looks like to win whereit matters most.
Now, before we go forward, Iwant to do a little devotional
pause called Eyes on the Ball,eyes on Jesus.
So let's take a quick time out,not a paddle break, but a
(13:47):
perspective break.
You see if you've beenlistening and thinking.
Okay, but how do I keep myfocus when everything around me
feels so chaotic?
Well, let's go to the word.
You remember Peter?
I'm sure you do.
Jesus called him out of the boatin the middle of the storm.
Right, it wasn't a calm sea.
There were not ideal conditions.
In fact, a storm is whatappeared.
(14:10):
And what kept Peter above waterwas his focus.
It wasn't a life jacket or apreserver he had on, it was his
focus.
As long as his eyes were lockedon Jesus, he walked in power on
water, no less right.
But the moment he shifted hisfocus, started paying more
(14:31):
attention to the wind than thewaves.
What happened?
The distractions he sank.
That's what happens when wetake our eyes off the ball, off
the savior.
It's not about being thestrongest player or having the
best paddle, it's about whereyou fix your eyes.
And pickleball.
When I focus on the ball, I'manticipating the next shot, I'm
(14:57):
reading my opponent's form,planning my position, but when I
get distracted by the noise,the petty player, the miss shot
the negativity, I lose my edge,not just my mind.
Same thing in life, same thingin motherhood, same thing in
spiritual warfare when our focusis on Christ, on his truth, his
(15:21):
love, his calling, we staysteady, even when the storm hits
or the pressure's on.
So today, mama, ask yourselfwhere are my eyes?
Are they on the drama, on thedoubt, or are they on the one
(15:42):
who says come to me, I've gotyou.
Just like in pickleball, eyeson the ball In life, eyes on
Jesus.
That's how we keep from sinking, that's how we stay in the game
.
That's how we win the battleswhere we never were meant to
lose.
The final rally, show up andserve.
So, ladies, whether you playedpickleball a hundred times or
(16:05):
just googled it while listeningto this episode, this message
isn't about the sport.
It's about the stance.
It's about choosing to show upeven when you're tired,
intimidated or feeling likeyou're getting whooped in every
area of your life.
It's about the decision to stayin the game, even after you
(16:29):
missed the easy shots, had thewind knocked out of you or
watched someone else lobblessings over your head while
you were still trying to figureout how to hold the paddle.
It's about grace, it's aboutgrit.
It's about staying focused onthe one who's coaching your
every step of the way.
So here's your rally cry fortoday.
(16:53):
Number one show up even when youfeel behind.
Two focus on the ball, not thebackground noise.
Three play your game, notsomeone else's.
Four stay on mission even whenthe heat gets turned up.
And five remember your kids arewatching.
(17:16):
They're learning how to show upbecause of how you do.
Let them see a mama who makesmistakes but keeps swinging.
Let them see a mama whobreathes deep rests and still
finds her joy in the game.
Let them see a mama who knowsthe difference between reacting
in flesh and responding in faith.
(17:36):
You may feel like you're in apickle, but, sis, listen, that's
just your setup for purpose.
You're not benched, you're notbroken, you're just being built.
So grab your paddle, lace upthose shoes and walk back on
that court, head high, heartopen and eyes locked on Jesus.
Because when you're in a pickle, you play pickleball girl, and
(18:01):
when you're walking with him,you're never playing alone.
And hey, if you're goingthrough it right now and you
need someone to pray with you,we've got a 24-hour prayer line
that's here for you anytime, dayor night.
Call 855-822-PRAY, that is855-822-7729.
We're not just talkingcommunity, we are your community
(18:26):
.
Until next time, keep swinginga grace, stay fierce in faith
and serve it up with a littlesass.
Have a wonderful week andremember it's a single mom thing
and not a single thing thatstops you.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Thanks for listening to.
It's a Single Mom Thing.
I hope you enjoyed our timetogether.
If you have more questions onhow to have a relationship with
Jesus or need prayer, visit usat wwwshepherdsvillagecom.
Backslash prayer.
For more information andresources, check out our show
notes.
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for
single moms by single moms.
This is Sherri, your host, andI am happy you are here today.
Remember it's a single momthing and not the single thing
that stops you.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Welcome back, mamas, to anotherepisode of it's a Single Mom
Thing, where we keep it real, wekeep it raw and we sprinkle in
just enough sass to remind youwho you are and whose you are.
Now listen, if you know me atall, then you already know this
one's going to be a part peptalk, part paddle smack.
(00:37):
Oh yeah, and 100% sherry,because today we're talking
pickleball.
That's my favorite sport,that's right.
Pick L-E ball and before youroll your eyes or hit skip, let
me tell you why this court hasbecome my mission field, my
(00:58):
therapy, and a surprisingly holyspace where God keeps showing
up paddle and hand.
See, I am a longtime athlete,super competitive.
Like I'm talking, pray for theperson on the other side of the
net, competitive.
Now.
I used to get so frustrated withthis sport.
(01:18):
It looked so simple I mean,it's a wiffle ball, a net and a
paddle.
But honey, looks can bedeceiving, just like life and
just like single motherhood.
But somewhere between the slamsand the soft shots I realized
this wasn't just a game, it wasa training ground.
(01:40):
So what in the world doespickleball have to do with you
and your season as a single mom?
Well, I am so glad you asked.
Let's rally into this one Fromfrustration to fascination.
Let me just say this up frontPickleball does not care how old
you are, how tall you are orwhat size leggings you rock on
(02:03):
the court.
This game does not discriminate.
Instead, it humbles everybodyequally.
I remember one of my first gamesTrue story here.
Okay, I got absolutely spankedby a man who was at least three
decades older than me I'mtalking.
(02:23):
He was 80 years young khakishorts, orthopedic shoes and a
paddle.
That was sure to spank me hard.
And, sis, he schooled me likeit was PE class and I forgot my
gym clothes.
Talk about humbling.
That's when I learned a realquick don't judge a book by its
(02:44):
cover and definitely don't judgea pickleball player by their
arthritic joints.
Here's the other thing whenyou're first starting out, they
don't ease you in with thenewbies.
Oh no, you just jump right inwith players of all skill levels
, most of them who've beenplaying way longer than you, who
already know the rhythm, thetricks, the lingo.
(03:06):
And let me tell you, it can beintimidating, it's frustrating
and it's humbling.
It's the kind of experiencethat'll make you want to throw
your paddle down, storm off thecourt and swear you'll never
come back next week.
Been there, done that.
Sound familiar.
Are there areas of your liferight now that feel like that,
(03:30):
where I don't know you're doingyour best, but everyone around
you seems to be steps ahead ofyou, where maybe you feel like
the rookie mom, the last tocatch on, the one trying to
survive the game, while everyoneelse is playing it like a pro?
Oh, mama, I have been there.
But here's what I love aboutthis sport and what God has used
(03:54):
to show me over and over againPick a ball.
It meets you right where you'reat.
It doesn't matter your age,your height, your fitness level
or even if you've never pickedup a paddle before.
If you are open to learning,you can grow your game.
And trust me, that's a wholeword right there for life and
(04:15):
single motherhood, just likethis journey as a single mom.
Pick a ball it is strategic.
You have to be willing to learn, adapt and show up with a
mindset that says I may not haveit all figured out, but I came
to play and let me tell you it'sa game that refines you, not
(04:37):
just how you move on the court,but how you show up off the
court, the players on the courtand the people in your life.
So here's the fun part Once youget past the intimidation and
start actually playing, youquickly realize pickleball is
way more than just a paddle anda plastic ball, because once
(04:59):
you're on that court, honey,you'll meet every personality
under the sun.
You've got the dinkers they'reslow, patient, soft at the net,
working the game with finesse.
Then you got the slammersthey're just out there to
dominate Power over precision.
It's a full send.
Then you got the lobberstossing that ball high like it's
(05:22):
their job to test your patienceand your cardio.
The strategist who'scalculating every move, like
they've got NASA data on yourfootwork.
And then you have the talkers,not just talking to you, oh no,
but sometimes talking at you.
And then you've got the oneswho talk more smack than return
serves.
Whoo, lord, help us.
(05:46):
And if we're being honest, someof these people yes, they remind
us of the folks in our reallives.
You know that one coworker whoalways tries to one-up you, or
the ex who knows exactly how toget under your skin, the friend
who plays mind games instead ofbeing real, or even our own
(06:08):
internal voice that tries totell you you're not good enough.
And then then there's the gamewithin the game, the mental
match going on in between yourears.
Oh yes, have you ever beenthere?
So if you've never played picka ball, or if you have played
pick a ball, you're going tounderstand this scenario.
(06:30):
I'm about to give you Okay.
So you go to take a simple shot,and that's the one that's
floating in the air like a slowmotion movie moment, and in your
head you are already picturingthe perfect return as you look
at the ball, only completely towhiff it, or you try to dink it
(06:51):
softly over the net, and insteadit barely taps your paddle and
drops like a rock on your sideof the court.
Oof, that is a major oof.
Then there's your partner.
Maybe they're frustrated withyou, or you're frustrated with
them.
Maybe they're playing in theirhead, hitting the ball out of
(07:13):
bounds, and you can't say whatyou really want to say because,
well, jesus is watching, gets meevery time if I'm honest and
let's not even get started onthe loudmouth opponent on the
other side of the net trying tobait you into your reaction,
because you're crushing them andthey can't handle it.
(07:35):
It is in those moments that Ihave realized this is life.
This is motherhood, this isfaith.
Actually, this is spiritualwarfare.
And sweatpants and sneakers.
The game is never just the game.
Focus on the ball, not thebackground noise.
So let me be real for a fewseconds.
(07:58):
It is way too easy to getpulled into the noise On the
pickleball court and in lifethere are always distractions
waiting to throw you off yourgame, whether it's a petty
player talking trash, someonewho drilled you with the ball
and didn't even apologize, or apartner who's playing like their
(08:20):
paddle is made of spaghettinoodles.
It is too tempting to react, tomatch energy, to get snarky.
Snap back or check outaltogether back or check out all
together.
And, if you're like me,competitive, assertive and maybe
(08:41):
one temper tantrum away fromflipping that paddle like a
pancake.
Oh, it is a whole battle, aspiritual battle.
But here's what I've learnedand there is always something to
learn if you're looking for itand what God keeps reminding me
every time I lace up those ASICsneakers.
Oh, yes, this is what he'stelling me.
The moment I stop focusing onthe ball and start focusing on
(09:04):
the drama, I lose my rhythm, Ilose my peace, I lose my purpose
.
The real opponent isn't theperson across the net.
Oh no, it's the voice in yourhead that says they don't
respect you, girl, you are notgood enough.
Why are you even out here, orwhy even try, if you're just
(09:26):
gonna mess up and hit the ballin the net anyway?
But hear me, ladies, thosevoices are not from God.
That's the enemy, baiting youinto battles you were never
meant to fight.
And, let's be honest, that samething happens off the court too
, when you're focused more onhow your ex is parenting than
(09:47):
how you are growing, when you'recomparing your highlight reel
to someone else's Instagramfilter, when you get so caught
up in the chaos that you forgetyour calling and listen.
The enemy just loves adistracted woman, because a
distracted woman, oh, she is adisarmed warrior, but a focused
(10:08):
woman, oh, she is dangerous.
That's why, in the heat of thematch, when my blood pressure
rises and my flesh wants to takeover, I've learned to breathe
refocus and pray.
Oh yes, even on the pickleballcourt, eyes on the ball, ears
(10:30):
tuned to the spirit, heartanchored in grace, because when
I focus on what really mattersmy footwork, my form, my faith I
play better, I live better.
I walk away knowing I stayed onmission even when everything
around me tried to pull me offcourse.
(10:51):
The court as my calling stayingon mission.
You know what else I've come tolove about this game the people
, the randomness, the divineappointments I didn't see coming
.
You see, I have met people onthat pickleball court.
I probably would have nevercrossed path with path path
(11:11):
P-A-T-H-S with otherwise.
I have had a hard time tryingto get that out.
People have differentbackgrounds, different beliefs,
different walks of life and yethere we are swinging paddles at
a wiffle ball, sweating it out,talking smack and, in between
rallies, swapping life stories.
If you know one, pick a ballplayer, you eventually know 20.
(11:34):
And before you know it, yourphone's buzzing with hey, pick
up a game at six or want to subin tonight?
Courts are open, come play.
And you better believe I showup because it's not just about
the sport anymore.
Oh no, it's my mission field.
I walk onto that court knowing Iam not just here to play, I am
(11:55):
here to represent, I am here tolove well, serve with grace and
show mercy, especially when it'snot deserved, because there's
only one person who wants me totake the bait and act like a
fool and let me tell you it'snot Jesus, and when I do start
to lose it because I do, whensomeone's being petty, when I
(12:18):
get drilled with the ball andthey don't say sorry, or when
someone's clearly playing dirty,I remember who I am and whose I
am, and I whisper at time totime a little prayer oh Jesus,
help me focus, help me fight theright battles and help me stay
on mission and bridle my tongue,because the real win isn't the
(12:42):
scoreboard, it's the legacy Ileave, it's the example I set,
it's the fruit of the spirit I'mcultivating every time I don't
pop off, every time I don't walkoff or give up.
And mama listen, don't forget,there are little eyes watching
your gameplay.
Your kids may be on the benchright now, but they're watching
(13:06):
how you serve, how you respondand how you handle the tough
calls and the dirty shots.
They're learning what it meansto show up with some grit and
some grace, because one day,soon, they'll be in the game too
, and how you play today becomestheir playbook for tomorrow.
So don't take the bait.
(13:27):
Don't play the enemy's game,play God's, and show your kids
what it looks like to win whereit matters most.
Now, before we go forward, Iwant to do a little devotional
pause called Eyes on the Ball,eyes on Jesus.
So let's take a quick time out,not a paddle break, but a
(13:47):
perspective break.
You see if you've beenlistening and thinking.
Okay, but how do I keep myfocus when everything around me
feels so chaotic?
Well, let's go to the word.
You remember Peter?
I'm sure you do.
Jesus called him out of the boatin the middle of the storm.
Right, it wasn't a calm sea.
There were not ideal conditions.
In fact, a storm is whatappeared.
(14:10):
And what kept Peter above waterwas his focus.
It wasn't a life jacket or apreserver he had on, it was his
focus.
As long as his eyes were lockedon Jesus, he walked in power on
water, no less right.
But the moment he shifted hisfocus, started paying more
(14:31):
attention to the wind than thewaves.
What happened?
The distractions he sank.
That's what happens when wetake our eyes off the ball, off
the savior.
It's not about being thestrongest player or having the
best paddle, it's about whereyou fix your eyes.
And pickleball.
When I focus on the ball, I'manticipating the next shot, I'm
(14:57):
reading my opponent's form,planning my position, but when I
get distracted by the noise,the petty player, the miss shot
the negativity, I lose my edge,not just my mind.
Same thing in life, same thingin motherhood, same thing in
spiritual warfare when our focusis on Christ, on his truth, his
(15:21):
love, his calling, we staysteady, even when the storm hits
or the pressure's on.
So today, mama, ask yourselfwhere are my eyes?
Are they on the drama, on thedoubt, or are they on the one
(15:42):
who says come to me, I've gotyou.
Just like in pickleball, eyeson the ball In life, eyes on
Jesus.
That's how we keep from sinking, that's how we stay in the game
.
That's how we win the battleswhere we never were meant to
lose.
The final rally, show up andserve.
So, ladies, whether you playedpickleball a hundred times or
(16:05):
just googled it while listeningto this episode, this message
isn't about the sport.
It's about the stance.
It's about choosing to show upeven when you're tired,
intimidated or feeling likeyou're getting whooped in every
area of your life.
It's about the decision to stayin the game, even after you
(16:29):
missed the easy shots, had thewind knocked out of you or
watched someone else lobblessings over your head while
you were still trying to figureout how to hold the paddle.
It's about grace, it's aboutgrit.
It's about staying focused onthe one who's coaching your
every step of the way.
So here's your rally cry fortoday.
(16:53):
Number one show up even when youfeel behind.
Two focus on the ball, not thebackground noise.
Three play your game, notsomeone else's.
Four stay on mission even whenthe heat gets turned up.
And five remember your kids arewatching.
(17:16):
They're learning how to show upbecause of how you do.
Let them see a mama who makesmistakes but keeps swinging.
Let them see a mama whobreathes deep rests and still
finds her joy in the game.
Let them see a mama who knowsthe difference between reacting
in flesh and responding in faith.
(17:36):
You may feel like you're in apickle, but, sis, listen, that's
just your setup for purpose.
You're not benched, you're notbroken, you're just being built.
So grab your paddle, lace upthose shoes and walk back on
that court, head high, heartopen and eyes locked on Jesus.
Because when you're in a pickle, you play pickleball girl, and
(18:01):
when you're walking with him,you're never playing alone.
And hey, if you're goingthrough it right now and you
need someone to pray with you,we've got a 24-hour prayer line
that's here for you anytime, dayor night.
Call 855-822-PRAY, that is855-822-7729.
We're not just talkingcommunity, we are your community
(18:26):
.
Until next time, keep swinginga grace, stay fierce in faith
and serve it up with a littlesass.
Have a wonderful week andremember it's a single mom thing
and not a single thing thatstops you.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Thanks for listening to.
It's a Single Mom Thing.
I hope you enjoyed our timetogether.
If you have more questions onhow to have a relationship with
Jesus or need prayer, visit usat wwwshepherdsvillagecom.
Backslash prayer.
For more information andresources, check out our show
notes.
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