Motherhood as a career.

This was taken from our devotional that Kley and I read together everyday- Moments Together for Couples by Dennis and Barbara Rainey (president/cofounder of FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.) I thought it was very interesting and something I have thought about blogging before. Sometimes it's scary to blog about your personal convictions, especially when you know that many people will not agree with you.

Motherhood as a Career

Titus 2:4-5- That they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.

     Our society often sends the wrong signals to mothers. It tells moms they are dispensable. It tells us that all mothers need to do is provide maid service, shuttle service and offer purchasing advice; that real mothering can be done by trained caretakers.
     I believe Christian mothers need to think critically about these cultural messages and challenge them. More moms need to make a career of busying themselves at home, and investing in their husbands and the next generation.
     I realize there are many reasons for mothers to have full-time or part-time jobs, but I also know some couples need to look critically at whether this is for survival, for personal fulfillment or simply to maintain a higher standard of living. If a couple feels it's necessary for Mom to work outside the home, some crucial questions should be addressed.
     A Christian mother should ask whether her husband is in total agreement with this decision. The two-career marriage may solve financial difficulties, but it creates others because many needs of the family will not receive full attention.
     Another good questions is: If extra income is essential, can it be earned in a flexible time frame, or by working at home? A woman in my church was able to develop a part-time photography business out of her home. She was always sure that whenever she had appointments she could leave her little boy with her husband or a friend.
     A career speaks of total commitment and full-time focus. No commitment or focus is more worthy of being a career than mothering the children you bring into the world.

I agree with her. Kley and I were both extremely blessed to be raised by stay-at-home moms. Many people comment, "Oh, you're JUST a stay-at-home mom?" like you're missing out on other things in the world. I think that's far from true. Being a stay-at-home mom is an extremely honorable, noble, difficult, rewarding, and worthy calling. I am very blessed that Kley is working hard in law school so that, God willing, I can stay home. That is my desire.

I understand that sometimes you need two incomes, or different things happen that require both parents to work. But, I like the questions she raised. Do you NEED the money? Is there a more flexible way you can make money? I know there are extenuating circumstances, but I believe that the majority of families can make it work on a one income budget. You will probably have to sacrifice, but it can be done.

I am a teacher for children of working parents. I know full well that many people don't agree with me on the value of staying home. I am not trying to judge anyone. If you are a mother and you choose to work, that is your decision to be made within your family. I believe that staying at home is the best path, but I don't think less of my friends with children who work. That's up to them. For me, I feel called to stay at home with my children, and am very excited to do so someday.

Mom, having you stay home with me was invaluable. Thank you.