I thank God for my children, Matthew, Michael, Amy, and Emily. They have brought depth to my prayer life. ~smile~ I never imagined myself living this kind of life. Even as a girl, I didn't think I'd be a stay-at-home mom. I was a child of the 70's and grew up with feminism as the norm. Blech! God's way is so much better! I know lots of women who work for a variety of reasons. I work too—at home.
When I was a working outside the home woman, I worked in customer service at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Lots of women worked there. Nearly all of them came back to work after their babies were 6 weeks old. I remember one expectant mom telling me she was going to work until her child was two years old because "nothing important happens before then." What a chilling thought! Even then, I realized that wasn't true.
When asked if I was going to work after my first son was born, this very pregnant momma would say I didn't know. My husband and I went in to talk to our pastor about it, because my husband was considering changing jobs, too. I remember my pastor telling me to do what God was telling me to do. Back then, I didn't know anything at all about submission. I hadn't even heard of it. I wouldn't have taken too well to it either! God has perfect timing!
Well, five weeks into my maternity leave, I realized that I had made my decision. Was it an active decision? No, I just realized that my baby was five weeks old, and I hadn't even looked for a babysitter! I couldn't imagine giving him to someone else all day!
Well, the rest is history. There's been a lot of financial hardship, but my children have been worth it. I realized that God was gently leading me, because I was too young in the faith and stubborn to just do what He told me to do at that point. The result has been a blessed life, really knowing my children in a way that I don't think I would have been able to under different circumstances.
Can we afford for me to stay home? No, not by a long shot. Are we blessed by God because I'm home? Absolutely!
I thank God for my children and for the privilege to be their momma full-time and their teacher part-time.
Laura
Momma
I love your I thank God posts! I never thought in a million years that I would be a stay-at-home mom. :) Until I had my oldest son...I cried when I dropped him off at daycare, it was just horrible. I would only see him only a couple hours a day and during that time it was getting ready for work and then coming home getting supper ready and bedtime. I really thought, why did I even have a child if I never see him. So after a loooong year of missing so much of his 1st year, I finally quit my job and have stayed home ever since. One of the best decisions I ever made! I love staying home with my boys!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming on over to my blog! Have a great weekend!
Amen!! I too stayed home with mine and so glad, they turned out so well!!
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