One of our readers had to deal with the challenging task of raising her son Josh alone after divorcing her first spouse when he was just four years old. There was a gap left by her ex-husband’s total absence that could not be filled by love. She frequently noticed Josh’s silent yearning when he saw other children enjoying happy times with their dads, whether it was fishing, sports, or just hanging out. The knowledge that he was losing out on those events crushed her heart.

She thought about dating again in the hopes of providing Josh with a positive male role model. But because of the severe emotional scars from her past, she finds it difficult to trust or to let love into her life again. She was plagued by the anguish from her past marriage and the fear of betrayal. Every possible relationship felt like an insurmountable risk for years, not only for her but also for Josh. Despite her aspirations, she frequently refrained from attempting to restore her family because she was afraid of the past happening again.