One-and-Done: My Love Story

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine wrote a Facebook post that touched me deeply. She shared her journey as a “one-and-done” mama—the conscious choice to have just one child. Her words resonated with me profoundly, not only because I made the same decision, but because her reasons echoed the emotional landscape I’ve walked for over two decades.

Like my friend Tania, I am also the proud mother of one incredible child. While she attributes her decision to a clear understanding of her limits—emotionally, physically, spiritually, and professionally—for me, the story is a little different. I became a mother in the context of a loveless marriage, and although I sometimes wish I had met my present husband earlier in life, so we could’ve had more children together, I don’t regret having just the one. Not for a second!

What I do cherish is the presence I’ve been able to offer my son. The closeness we’ve cultivated is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. Even now, with him at 23, we’re the best of friends. He’s my favourite travel partner, and—perhaps most importantly—my fiercest fashion advisor. We’ve grown together, side by side. He’s seen me through joy and heartbreak, through rebuilding and reinvention. And I’ve had the privilege of watching him become a remarkable human being.

Motherhood, as many of us know, is expansive. It demands so much of us—financially, emotionally, and energetically. For me, there was no balancing act between a partner and a child. That decision had already been made. My marriage was broken, but in that brokenness, I found clarity. I poured everything I had into raising my son. He became my focus, my anchor, and my inspiration.

I have immense respect for women who navigate the complexities of raising multiple children while juggling careers, relationships, and personal dreams. But I knew my path was going to be different. I had aspirations too—I wanted to build something of my own, and I had a lot to prove, mostly to myself. My son, Chris, grew up in the wings of that journey. He watched me build my business, fight for what I believed in, and persist in the face of uncertainty. He learned about resilience not from lectures, but from living it alongside me.

Of course, there are things he missed out on—siblings to fight with, confide in, or team up with on family road trips. But what he gained was time, undivided attention, and an emotional intimacy that’s hard to come by in larger families. He saw me dream big and chase those dreams. Today, he’s an accomplished young entrepreneur himself. And I can say, without hesitation, that he knows he is loved—fiercely, unconditionally, and endlessly. He sees (in action) that I’m his biggest fan, that there’s nothing he can do to change the way I love him unconditionally. That’s my legacy.

There’s a book that helps to better understand and appreciate this path: One and Only: The Freedom of Having an Only Child, and the Joy of Being One by Lauren Sandler. In it, Sandler explores the stigma around raising only children and debunks the long-held myths that “only” means “lonely.” Her reflections validated what I had long suspected: having one child doesn’t mean giving them less—it can mean giving them more; much, much more!

Like Tania, I believe that because I was grounded in who I was—and committed to becoming the mother my son deserved—I raised an extraordinary person. And that, truly, is enough.

Being a one-and-done mama isn’t about lack. It’s about intention. It’s about choosing presence over pressure, and depth over duplication. And in the end, it’s about love—the kind that is whole, constant, and unconditional.

Jamie MacDonald – Desperate

Singer and songwriter Jamie MacDonald spent years developing her talent behind the scenes before stepping into the spotlight. After lending her voice to background vocals, choirs, and vocal production for various artists, as well as writing music for film and TV, Jamie made a striking impression with her heartfelt single, Desperate.

Desperate is a powerful anthem born from a deep longing for God’s presence. For Jamie, songwriting became a refuge—a way to process pain and turn vulnerability into something beautiful. The track speaks directly to those who feel at their lowest, offering a reminder that God draws near to the broken-hearted and invites us to come boldly to Him in times of need.

Her message reflects the heart of Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Jamie’s journey is a testament to the truth that God hears us—even when we feel undeserving. Through her testimony and music, Jamie MacDonald reminds us that no matter how far we’ve strayed or how broken we feel, the door to God’s love and redemption is always available.

Morrissa Nicole’s "Ready to Receive"

“Let creation cry for His love

For the Lord has been good to us

So we raise our hands high above

Ready to receive You, ready to receive

Ready to receive You, ready to receive”

One night, during a prayer service, I passionately shared my prayer request with the attendees. For months, I had been struggling to find direction in my life. I asked for prayer—prayer for insight and open doors over the next season of my life. It was a cry for help. I was desperate for an answer or at least to be pointed in the right direction.

After voicing my request, a church member spoke words of encouragement, and under the unction of the Lord, she asked, “Are you ready?” At first, I was confused. I answered her and began to list all the ways I had naturally prepared for this season, thinking that would be the right response. But she simply asked again—this time with more urgency—and immediately, I knew this question was coming straight from heaven to my heart: Morrissa, are you ready for what God is about to do in your life?

“Yes, Lord, I am ‘Ready.’”

You may be facing that same question right now. You might be standing at a fork in the road, unsure of your next step, just as I was. The beauty of walking with God is the assurance that, though we may not always know where we’re headed, we can always know He is right beside us. As long as we walk hand-in-hand with Jesus, we can live in a place of confidence and expectancy.

Today, I want to stir up anticipation within you. Through faith, let’s cultivate fertile ground in our hearts. Just like I did, make the commitment to embrace your own readiness for healing, miracles, answers to long-awaited questions, and whatever else the Lord has in store for you. Know that our God is a generous God, and He is always willing to give—so long as we are Ready to Receive.

Will you turn your cup towards heaven today? Let God pour into you whatever He wills. You don’t need to feel lost or directionless. Like me, seek the face of the Lord, and in finding Him, He will reveal His heart for you.

Today, choose to become spiritually ready. Align yourself with God’s purpose for your life. This is a call to action—a call for all of us to prepare our hearts to receive from the Lord.

Morrissa Nicole

Brooke Nicholls - Enough

“I can run 

 still You meet me where I am 

 When I’m done 

 You’re where I begin again 

 In the lowest place I’ve been 

 You’re the lifter of my head 

So I run to You 

 emptied and undone …” 

Shame tells us we’re guilty and insufficient, but Jesus says we’re guiltless and promises that His grace is sufficient in all of our weaknesses. Whatever state we might be in, we can always come running into His loving arms. And the good news is, the things we once said, did, or experienced have been forgiven. In Christ, we are made new. God’s redemptive love frees us to let go of the mess of the past and move forward in confidence, knowing there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! 

Lean in… this is for you: Your story isn’t finished! Jesus wants to restore you, redeem you, transform you, love you, walk with you, care for you, talk with you, hold you, lead you, heal you, comfort you, teach you, and do so much more. 

His love will never abandon you. I pray that you would throw off the chains holding you back, letting God meet you, taking you from glory to glory.

- Brooke

Listen to this new song fresh off Brooke Nicholls’ new album

Brooke Nicholls is a Worship Leader, Songwriter and Author from Hamilton, Ontario. When she's not at her home church, she's leading worship at different Churches and Ministries across Canada and beyond. Brooke is a ten-time Canadian Gospel Music Award winner, including being named the Female Vocalist of the Year four years in a row. Her new album ‘Glory To God’ was nominated for a 2024 Juno Award and her devotional books have been Number#1 Christian Best-Sellers on Amazon. Brooke is married to Steve and they have two daughters.