I have blogged about being a stay-at-home-mom before, but I am doing it again. It's something I'm passionate about and that means a lot to me.
I was spurred on again by a few recent conversations, and by reading this article by Matt Walsh about his wife staying home.
I think the thing that bothers be the most is throwing the word JUST into it. Like, you're JUST a stay-at-home-mom. One of the main questions people ask after you have the baby is, "When are you going back to work?" It seems like most people don't consider being a SAHM, for themselves or for others.
Since when did being a stay-at-home-mom become not enough? I think it's everything!
Again, I know there are tons of women out there who truly need to work, and I understand that. I am sensitive to you, I am. Whether you have a two-income household is not for me to tell you. But, right now I am speaking about a few recent comments I have heard recently along the lines of I could never stay home or the weekend is plenty long enough.
That makes me sad. Raising your children, whether you work outside the home or not, is an extremely high calling. I like what Matt said in his article about how you are expendable at your job. You can be replaced easily. You are never expendable as a mom and you can never be replaced. The second your children are born, you are forever changed. I'm so excited for that.
I also liked what he said about being busy. You can be busy and not be important, and you can be important and not be busy. People are obsessed with being busy. Consider what Proverbs 31 says:
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I want to be that kind of woman. I want to be busy enough that I am making a difference in my community and meeting the needs of others, yet be there for my children's needs. I want to bring my family good, not harm. I want to be a hard worker and give my family what they need. I want to have the character qualities described- clothed with strength and dignity, speaks with wisdom, gives faithful instruction, and fears the Lord.
For me (and Kley), I am thrilled that God is blessing us with the opportunity for me to stay home. I am excited to stay at home. I know it will be hard, but it's what I've always wanted.
I can't wait to have this baby. :)
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