4L Foundation

07/01/2025

We live in a nation that celebrates the 4th of July because of...

05/08/2025

You're doing a great job, moms!

04/18/2025

EASTER - a New Beginning

12/19/2024

Merry Christmas from our homes to yours!

12/03/2024

Exciting news! We have Matching Grant this for up to $10,000 today! Every dollar you give today will be matched - making it twice as powerful in helping single moms and their children in need!
Your gift brings hope, love, and restoration. Make it a DOUBLE BLESSING today!

11/10/2024

A LIFE CHANGING WEEK...

07/03/2024

FREEDOM -
As you’re watching fireworks this Independence Day, may it be a reminder of our own independence – our freedom. We live in a country that celebrates this day because of what our forefathers did for us over 200 years ago. Think about that for a moment. They knew signing that declaration was going to lead to a war with the most powerful country in the world at that time.

Yet, they still signed it.

Just as those in 1776 fought to declare freedom for the United States, we may battle for our freedom today. We may be struggling for freedom from fear, freedom from a health issue, freedom from addiction, from a career situation, a hurt, anger, or even freedom from our own bitterness.

A single mom doesn’t experience the same “freedom” as others might. In fact, she may feel there is very little freedom in this stage of her life. That’s why Shepherd’s Care under the 4L Foundation exists. To help each mom and her children achieve their own “independence.”

However, we all can receive complete freedom when we receive Jesus in our lives. We are no longer held captive. Because our past is “history” and we become a new person. Then we become free from the past – to focus on the future.

We must be determined, though, to stand against the opposing forces in our lives today. We may have to press through for a while, but we can celebrate our freedom knowing – BELIEVING – victory is on the way – just like it was 200 years ago.

Make it a Happy 4th – and 5th – and 6th and… forever!

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).

Susan Crook, President/CEO 4L Foundation
A Single Mom's Ministry

07/02/2024

FREEDOM!

07/02/2024

05/09/2024

You’re doing a great job, mom – even when you feel inadequate and unqualified! Being a mom is not an easy job in the best of situations – and being a SINGLE mom… is one of the hardest jobs there is. But remember, you are stronger than you think and more qualified than you realize. With God, you’ve got this!

Single moms may be alone in this parenting job. And while they may feel weary and exhausted at times, in the end – they are the only ones who can give their children a happy mom – who loves her children. Yep. It’s an opportunity to teach joy, faith, and courage by YOUR example.

Don’t worry – God’s extra dose of grace and mercy will fill in all the gaps. His grace is sufficient for all moms (2 Corinthians 12:9). God sees your struggle and will guide you through it. He deeply loves moms and her children and will carry them through each day – each circumstance.

God knows of your sacrifice, and He will continue to equip you for this journey. You are not alone. In fact, Shepherd’s Care Ministries exists to provide housing for single moms and their families - to ensure that no single mom walks alone.

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL moms! You are amazing!

04/24/2024

I woke up feeling scared and discouraged as I was about to undergo the 4th attempt to surgically remove all the cancer from my face that day. With numerous stitches and nasty-looking skin-grafting, it appeared as though melanoma had won… and my speaking career had ended.

I laid in bed a short while longer than normal – praying and listening to music playing, while asking God to help me overcome this battle. I needed His encouragement. I needed His reassurance. I needed hope.

Then suddenly…

Suddenly, I heard Mandisa singing in her epic, amplified voice, “You’re an OVERCOMER! Stay in the fight 'til the final round. You're not going under 'cause God is holding you right now. You might be down for a moment – feeling like it's hopeless. That's when He reminds you that you're an ovvvvercomer!”

That song became the launching pad that bolted me out of bed that morning as I literally stood up and shouted, “I can do this! I. Am. An. OVERCOMER!!!”

A couple of days after my surgery, Mandisa messaged me – suggesting that I read the lyrics to her song, “WHAT SCARS ARE FOR.” “Just read the lyrics,” she said. “I think it’ll be encouraging to you.”

The song was beautiful – spot on again – reminding me/us of what God can and will do with our “scars.” We ALL have scars – we ALL have things to overcome. But, as Mandisa would say, we can become “STRONGER” because of it.

Years ago, Mandisa and I worked together with the “Women of Faith” organization. She was always so sweet and caring. Her heart was as incredible as her voice. She left an amazing impact with her love for the Lord and for others, her thoughtfulness, her encouragement to everyone, and how she exponentially used her God-given gifts. (I have to say – I cannot imagine how amazing the singing must be in Heaven this week.) Wow.

Thank you, Mandisa, for encouraging us. Thank you, Mandisa, for encouraging me. Your life was a legacy - you were loved greatly - and you will be missed.

03/29/2024

It was a dark, bleak Friday. Peter denied him. Friends and family deserted him.
Judas flat-out betrayed him. Mary was absolutely heartbroken.
The tomb… shut.
Hope… departed.
It. Was. Finished.

Finished, but not over. What seemed hopeless, was actually opening the door to a brand-new beginning – beyond what they understood to even hope for.
A miracle.
A Savior.
An unimaginable renewed hope would soon be revealed.

Easter represents a new beginning, renewal, changed circumstances, and hope. Hope that is not based on circumstances - hope that is based on Jesus. When the past is painful and our future seems impossible, Jesus shines His light in all the darkness. Sometimes, hope is all we have when it seems as though we have nothing else. However, if we have hope, we have everything.

We all go through difficult situations in life that make no sense. However, if we have only one thing in life after all the hurts and disappointments, let it be hope. Hope in Jesus will carry us through the difficult times. Hope is trusting when we don’t understand. Hope reveals that we’re stronger than any challenge we will ever face.

Whether you’re a single mom or a parent of many, you are exactly where you are meant to be right now. Once you choose Jesus, you choose hope – and then anything’s possible. Let your hope, not your hurt, be your inspiration and encouragement for a new beginning, a restored circumstance, and an unexplained joy this Easter.
(Remember, Easter 2024… will never be repeated.)