First of all - I am not "Just" anything and neither are you. If you are a child of God he says that we are chosen and special.
1 Peter 2:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own [a]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Second, I work a job the same as anyone else with a one exception. I do not get paid in money. Money is not everything. We sacrifice A LOT of "things" and we live on a pretty tight and strict budget (I will post more about budgeting later) in order to live the way we do.
Years ago I was reading a book called the Power of a Positive Mom and it asked you to write down a job description for yourself.
Here is mine:
I am tired just reading that. I am sure that I could add to this list and description now as this was written out 10 years ago or more and I know that many of you stay at home moms can relate.
Now, let me just say - I stay at home because it is my calling. I truly feel that God has called me in this season of my life to be a "homemaker". It was a decision that my husband and I made together based upon Titus 2:4-5 because we felt this was God's instructions for us and our family.
Titus 2:4 -5 says 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
You may feel called to work outside of the home or may not be in a financial situation where you can stay at home and that is fine too. We all have to do what is best for our families and what we feel is right.
What about you? If you stay home have you ever been referred to in this way? What about those of you who do work "outside" of your home - has anyone ever made negative comments to about your decision?
This post is not meant to put anyone down but rather to encourage you. Whether we are single or married, have children or don't, and whether we choose to work at home or outside of our homes we need to be supportive of each other in what ever role we are in and not speak in a negative manner toward anyone.
Great post.
ReplyDeleteHi! I found you through Women Living Well and I'm your newest follower! I love this post! The days can seem long sometimes and it's always great to remember that the Lord has called us to this! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteChristie
http://satisfactionthroughchrist.blogspot.com
My father was recently a patient in a local hospital I used to work at. I went to visit him and saw and spoke with all the people I worked with. One woman asked me what I was doing with my life now. I told her I was married and had a 9 month old baby girl and I was a stay at home mom. She acted as if I gave up on life and never made anything of myself. I told her that my husband was making enough money and he wanted me home. She said "Yeah well my husband works too but I still work. Eventually you will want to get out of the house and give back to society." I just smiled and said it was nice seeing her and walked out. I wanted to scream... Give back to society?!?!??!!?!? I guess raising a beautiful, smart, polite, intelligent little girl isn't important in today's society. Oooh how that struck a nerve!! Thank you for writing this post. I now know I'm not the only one who is "unemployed". haha :)
ReplyDeleteChristie, I am thrilled to have you as a follower. YEA!!! I pray that my blog will be an encouragement to you.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I get that kind of comment all the time. Actually I did go back to work when my youngest son started school and I worked part time for 3 years and everyday I felt like I left my heart at home. I will have to post about that someday. Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Great post and thanks for the encouraging words! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! Thank you so much for the encouragement. I cannot tell you how many times these feelings have come upon me after someone "well-meaning" (or...are they?), or more likely, ignorant, says, "Oh, you don't work?" My response (in as sweet a tone as I can muster)? "Oh...no. Not at all! I don't work at all!" Then the person will usually back-pedal a good bit and realize what they just did. It's when they gloss it over that I actually become annoyed/hurt. You nailed it...I've also STATED to folks (again, in as kind a voice as I can manage!), "I already HAVE a full-time JOB!" :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting much of my convictions into words. Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! Great post. I can relate! I am a stay-at-home mom of one and quite frankly, I've struggled with my self-worth since I don't have a "career" or a paycheck with my name on it. Thanks for the reminder that being "just" a stay-at-home mom is a high calling and I am blessed beyond measure.
ReplyDeletePS - I also live in West Virginia! :)
Visit my blog at http://www.hookedfromhello.blogspot.com
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon your blog and LOVE it!And this post says it all. I get the "Oh, you don't work??" comment all the time. And comments like that really get under my hubby's skin. :)
thanks for the encouraging words, and I am your newest faithful follower. :) Stop by and visit sometime.
Blessings,
Lisa
Amanda - so glad you stopped by. What part of WV do you live in?
ReplyDeleteLisa, glad to have you as a follower. Thanks for stopping by. :)
"We all have to do what is best for our families and what we feel is the right thing to do." This is so true. Once someone has put their decision to prayer and tested it through the Word of God, we must come together as women and support one another. This is a topic that I am passionate about. As women, we have enough on our plates without pitting ourselves against one another. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteYou know I am so bugged when someone makes a comment like that, about how I am "just" a housewife, however I notice that I sometimes refer to myself that way when asked what I do for work. It is an idea this culture has put into our heads.
ReplyDeleteThankfully I haven't had any comments about being "just a stay at home Mom." But, I remember when my daughter was rather young (under a year old) and at least two different people approached me about job opportunities they knew of and thought I might be interested in. I felt like something was wrong with me since I was 150% consumed with my job as a mom and a wife, but these women (also mothers) somehow thought I could add a work from home job to my schedule.
ReplyDeleteGreat post sis!! I have been a stay at home mom for 18 years now with 7 children the oldest age 18- 7 and would not change that for the world!! I thank you for this post of encouragement as it is hard being known as a stay at home mom in this world yet we know truly what a huge blessing it is!!! God Bless you
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I have ever been referred to as "just a stay at home mom". Infact, come to think of it I have had nothing but positive words spoken to me about being home, raising four kids. It is such a beautiful blessing to be able to do so.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! I have had both positive and neg. responses to me being a stay at home mom. I found you through WLW linkup.
ReplyDeletewww.abundantjoy04.blogspot.com/
I love this post! It's a topic dear to my heart. I now have grown children, but was a stay-at-home mom and was often asked why I didn't 'work'. I always said that it was a high calling, but I have to admit,I sometimes struggled with self-worth. (At the time, we didn't have these wonderful blogs to encourage us!) Both of our sons have thanked me time and again for staying home, and now one of my sons is about to become a dad and he and his sweet wife have decided that she will be a stay-at-home-mom. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower via WLWW and would love for you to visit and follow!
Yes! The other one I often get is "you are so lucky." Luck has nothing to do with it! It is a decision my husband and I made, and it has required many many financial sacrifices. For us, the cut backs are inestimably worth it. I firmly believe that anyone can make this choice if they are willing to adjust their lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI live in an area where other women look down at me for being a homemaker and homeschooling our kids. It is so foreign to those women who live around here so I catch a lot of flack for it. Thank you for this post. Hopping over here from Serving Joyfully!
ReplyDeleteLindsey @ Road to 31
Great post! As a fellow stay-at-home mom, I have felt the sting of the "just" attitude. Thanks for sharing at Thriving Thursdays, I appreciate your support :)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank you for this great I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your web site to look at the latest stuff you post.
ReplyDeleteWork from home in australia