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It's A Single Mom Thing
Welcome to “It's A Single Mom Thing,” the show for single moms by single moms, hosted by Sherry Chandler.
Being a solo momma and present parent is hard work, and losing focus is easy when you forget your faith. The good news is you are not alone. You were singled out this season, and together, we can work on what’s not working for you—finding Christ in the crisis! Whether you’re tuning in early in the morning or late at night, I’m here for you, momma.
This podcast is your go-to space for navigating life as a single mom with faith, fun, and a fresh perspective. We'll cover everything from mastering a single-mom success mindset and budgeting like a boss to prioritizing self-care and raising resilient kids. We’ll share time management hacks, parenting perspectives, co-parenting challenges, and how to find joy and laugh again. Together, we’ll move from surviving to thriving in every season of single motherhood.
Be encouraged. Get inspired. You can do this, momma.
Each Monday, join me for practical advice, relatable stories, and uplifting conversations as we walk this journey from solo momma to solo momma. I promise not to take too much of your time, and I’m so grateful you’re spending it with me.
It may be a single mom thing, but it doesn’t have to be the "single thing" that stops you!
It's A Single Mom Thing
When In a Pickle(ball), Play Pickleball
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!
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for single moms by single moms. This is Sherri, your host, and I am happy you are here today. Remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you.
Speaker 2:Hey, hey, hey, hey. Welcome back, mamas, to another episode of it's a Single Mom Thing, where we keep it real, we keep it raw and we sprinkle in just enough sass to remind you who you are and whose you are. Now listen, if you know me at all, then you already know this one's going to be a part pep talk, part paddle smack. 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 you roll your eyes or hit skip, let me tell you why this court has become my mission field, my therapy, and a surprisingly holy space where God keeps showing up paddle and hand. See, I am a longtime athlete, super competitive. Like I'm talking, pray for the person on the other side of the net, competitive. Now.
Speaker 2:I used to get so frustrated with this sport. It looked so simple I mean, it's a wiffle ball, a net and a paddle. But honey, looks can be deceiving, just like life and just like single motherhood. But somewhere between the slams and the soft shots I realized this wasn't just a game, it was a training ground. So what in the world does pickleball 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 From frustration to fascination. Let me just say this up front Pickleball does not care how old you are, how tall you are or what size leggings you rock on the court. This game does not discriminate. Instead, it humbles everybody equally.
Speaker 2:I remember one of my first games True story here. Okay, I got absolutely spanked by a man who was at least three decades older than me I'm talking. He was 80 years young khaki shorts, orthopedic shoes and a paddle. That was sure to spank me hard. And, sis, he schooled me like it was PE class and I forgot my gym clothes. Talk about humbling. That's when I learned a real quick don't judge a book by its cover and definitely don't judge a pickleball player by their arthritic joints.
Speaker 2:Here's the other thing when you're first starting out, they don't ease you in with the newbies. Oh no, you just jump right in with players of all skill levels, most of them who've been playing way longer than you, who already know the rhythm, the tricks, the lingo. And let me tell you, it can be intimidating, it's frustrating and it's humbling. It's the kind of experience that'll make you want to throw your paddle down, storm off the court and swear you'll never come back next week. Been there, done that. Sound familiar.
Speaker 2:Are there areas of your life right now that feel like that, where I don't know you're doing your best, but everyone around you seems to be steps ahead of you, where maybe you feel like the rookie mom, the last to catch on, the one trying to survive the game, while everyone else is playing it like a pro? Oh, mama, I have been there. But here's what I love about this sport and what God has used to show me over and over again Pick a ball. It meets you right where you're at. It doesn't matter your age, your height, your fitness level or even if you've never picked up a paddle before. If you are open to learning, you can grow your game. And trust me, that's a whole word right there for life and single motherhood, just like this 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 have it all figured out, but I came to play and let me tell you it's a game that refines you, not just how you move on the court, but how you show up off the court, the players on the court and the people in your life. So here's the fun part Once you get past the intimidation and start actually playing, you quickly realize pickleball is way more than just a paddle and a plastic ball, because once you're on that court, honey, you'll meet every personality under the sun.
Speaker 2:You've got the dinkers they're slow, patient, soft at the net, working the game with finesse. Then you got the slammers they're just out there to dominate Power over precision. It's a full send. Then you got the lobbers tossing that ball high like it's their job to test your patience and your cardio. The strategist who's calculating every move, like they've got NASA data on your footwork. And then you have the talkers, not just talking to you, oh no, but sometimes talking at you. And then you've got the ones who talk more smack than return serves. Whoo, lord, help us.
Speaker 2:And if we're being honest, some of these people yes, they remind us of the folks in our real lives. You know that one coworker who always tries to one-up you, or the ex who knows exactly how to get under your skin, the friend who plays mind games instead of being real, or even our own internal voice that tries to tell you you're not good enough. And then then there's the game within the game, the mental match going on in between your ears. Oh yes, have you ever been there? So if you've never played pick a ball, or if you have played pick a ball, you're going to understand this scenario. I'm about to give you Okay.
Speaker 2:So you go to take a simple shot, and that's the one that's floating in the air like a slow motion movie moment, and in your head you are already picturing the perfect return as you look at the ball, only completely to whiff it, or you try to dink it softly over the net, and instead it barely taps your paddle and drops like a rock on your side of the court. Oof, that is a major oof. Then there's your partner. Maybe they're frustrated with you, or you're frustrated with them. Maybe they're playing in their head, hitting the ball out of bounds, and you can't say what you really want to say because, well, jesus is watching, gets me every time if I'm honest and let's not even get started on the loudmouth opponent on the other side of the net trying to bait you into your reaction, because you're crushing them and they can't handle it.
Speaker 2:It is in those moments that I have realized this is life. This is motherhood, this is faith. Actually, this is spiritual warfare. And sweatpants and sneakers. The game is never just the game. Focus on the ball, not the background noise. So let me be real for a few seconds. It is way too easy to get pulled into the noise On the pickleball court and in life there are always distractions waiting to throw you off your game, whether it's a petty player talking trash, someone who drilled you with the ball and didn't even apologize, or a partner who's playing like their paddle is made of spaghetti noodles.
Speaker 2:It is too tempting to react, to match energy, to get snarky. Snap back or check out altogether back or check out all together. And, if you're like me, competitive, assertive and maybe one temper tantrum away from flipping that paddle like a pancake. Oh, it is a whole battle, a spiritual battle. But here's what I've learned and there is always something to learn if you're looking for it and what God keeps reminding me every time I lace up those ASIC sneakers. Oh, yes, this is what he's telling me. The moment I stop focusing on the ball and start focusing on the drama, I lose my rhythm, I lose my peace, I lose my purpose.
Speaker 2:The real opponent isn't the person across the net. Oh no, it's the voice in your head that says they don't respect you, girl, you are not good enough. Why are you even out here, or why even try, if you're just gonna mess up and hit the ball in the net anyway? But hear me, ladies, those voices are not from God. That's the enemy, baiting you into battles you were never meant to fight. And, let's be honest, that same thing happens off the court too, when you're focused more on how your ex is parenting than how you are growing, when you're comparing your highlight reel to someone else's Instagram filter, when you get so caught up in the chaos that you forget your calling and listen. The enemy just loves a distracted woman, because a distracted woman, oh, she is a disarmed warrior, but a focused woman, oh, she is dangerous.
Speaker 2:That's why, in the heat of the match, when my blood pressure rises and my flesh wants to take over, I've learned to breathe refocus and pray. Oh yes, even on the pickleball court, eyes on the ball, ears tuned to the spirit, heart anchored in grace, because when I focus on what really matters my footwork, my form, my faith I play better, I live better. I walk away knowing I stayed on mission even when everything around me tried to pull me off course. The court as my calling staying on mission. You know what else I've come to love about this game the people, the randomness, the divine appointments I didn't see coming.
Speaker 2:You see, I have met people on that pickleball court. I probably would have never crossed path with path path P-A-T-H-S with otherwise. I have had a hard time trying to get that out. People have different backgrounds, different beliefs, different walks of life and yet here 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 ball player, you eventually know 20. And before you know it, your phone's buzzing with hey, pick up a game at six or want to sub in tonight? Courts are open, come play. And you better believe I show up because it's not just about the sport anymore. Oh no, it's my mission field.
Speaker 2:I walk onto that court knowing I am not just here to play, I am here to represent, I am here to love well, serve with grace and show mercy, especially when it's not deserved, because there's only one person who wants me to take the bait and act like a fool and let me tell you it's not Jesus, and when I do start to lose it because I do, when someone's being petty, when I get drilled with the ball and they 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 to time a little prayer oh Jesus, help me focus, help me fight the right battles and help me stay on mission and bridle my tongue, because the real win isn't the scoreboard, it's the legacy I leave, it's the example I set, it's the fruit of the spirit I'm cultivating every time I don't pop off, every time I don't walk off or give up. And mama listen, don't forget, there are little eyes watching your gameplay. Your kids may be on the bench right now, but they're watching how you serve, how you respond and how you handle the tough calls and the dirty shots. They're learning what it means to show up with some grit and some grace, because one day, soon, they'll be in the game too, and how you play today becomes their playbook for tomorrow. So don't take the bait. Don't play the enemy's game, play God's, and show your kids what it looks like to win where it matters most.
Speaker 2:Now, before we go forward, I want 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 perspective break. You see if you've been listening and thinking. Okay, but how do I keep my focus when everything around me feels so chaotic? Well, let's go to the word. You remember Peter? I'm sure you do.
Speaker 2:Jesus called him out of the boat in the middle of the storm. Right, it wasn't a calm sea. There were not ideal conditions. In fact, a storm is what appeared. And what kept Peter above water was his focus. It wasn't a life jacket or a preserver he had on, it was his focus. As long as his eyes were locked on Jesus, he walked in power on water, no less right. But the moment he shifted his focus, started paying more attention to the wind than the waves. What happened? The distractions he sank. That's what happens when we take our eyes off the ball, off the savior. It's not about being the strongest player or having the best paddle, it's about where you fix your eyes.
Speaker 2:And pickleball. When I focus on the ball, I'm anticipating the next shot, I'm 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 thing in motherhood, same thing in spiritual warfare when our focus is on Christ, on his truth, his love, his calling, we stay steady, even when the storm hits or the pressure's on. So today, mama, ask yourself where are my eyes? Are they on the drama, on the doubt, or are they on the one who says come to me, I've got you. Just like in pickleball, eyes on 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 battles where we never were meant to lose.
Speaker 2:The final rally, show up and serve. So, ladies, whether you played pickleball a hundred times or just googled it while listening to this episode, this message isn't about the sport. It's about the stance. It's about choosing to show up even when you're tired, intimidated or feeling like you're getting whooped in every area of your life. It's about the decision to stay in the game, even after you missed the easy shots, had the wind knocked out of you or watched someone else lob blessings over your head while you were still trying to figure out how to hold the paddle. It's about grace, it's about grit. It's about staying focused on the one who's coaching your every step of the way. So here's your rally cry for today.
Speaker 2:Number one show up even when you feel behind. Two focus on the ball, not the background noise. Three play your game, not someone else's. Four stay on mission even when the heat gets turned up. And five remember your kids are watching. They're learning how to show up because of how you do. Let them see a mama who makes mistakes but keeps swinging. Let them see a mama who breathes deep rests and still finds her joy in the game. Let them see a mama who knows the difference between reacting in flesh and responding in faith.
Speaker 2:You may feel like you're in a pickle, but, sis, listen, that's just your setup for purpose. You're not benched, you're not broken, you're just being built. So grab your paddle, lace up those shoes and walk back on that court, head high, heart open and eyes locked on Jesus. Because when you're in a pickle, you play pickleball girl, and when you're walking with him, you're never playing alone. And hey, if you're going through 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, day or night. Call 855-822-PRAY, that is 855-822-7729. We're not just talking community, we are your community. Until next time, keep swinging a grace, stay fierce in faith and serve it up with a little sass. Have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not a single thing that stops you.
Speaker 1:Thanks for listening to. It's a Single Mom Thing. I hope you enjoyed our time together. If you have more questions on how to have a relationship with Jesus or need prayer, visit us at wwwshepherdsvillagecom. Backslash prayer. For more information and resources, check out our show notes.
