An advantage of staying at home is that you have many more opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with other SAHM. They understand that phase of life you're in, often times you can give and receive advice on any topic from teething to potty-training, and there is not another group of people on this planet who can completely appreciate the ups and downs of this profession. I often thank God for the other SAHM whom He has brought into my life. They are priceless!
I must admit, my first sentence above is rather tongue-in-cheek. While I had a wonderful weekend with my baby boy and my husband, who was home for a short time between business trips, two days full of "let's catch up on as much as possible around the house" and "let's do several fun things outside to make use of the fantastic weather" can leave you a bit exhausted. Pair that with a malfunctioning dishwasher and a partially-ruined kitchen floor, and you can imagine that I rolled out of bed this morning, anything but rested and rejuvenated. But, as I shipped my husband off to the airport, cleaned an alarming amount of spit-up off of my sweet son and the white carpet, and washed a never-ending stack of dishes (by hand...due to the broken dishwasher), I remembered the great opportunity that I have been called to enjoy.
Yesterday, our Youth and Desperation Ministries Pastor, David Perkins, gave a fantastic sermon on remembering your calling and choosing to live out that calling on a daily basis. There is no question in my mind that right now, at 29 years old, my calling is to stay at home to raise my son and care for my husband. The Lord has expanded that calling by directing me to do this...minister to other mommies. To be very honest, I often times step back and think, "What on earth am I doing???" I feel unqualified, I have only one (very young) child, I have no professional training in writing...who am I to fully care for a toddler and a husband, much less minister to other moms??? The following passage then came to mind:
"...Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
I ask you to take a minute and think about the way that society views the stay-at-home mom. If someone else could care for your children while you were out making more money to accumulate more things, that would be wise by society's standards. Simply staying at home and serving your husband and children seems like a lowly or weak calling in today's world. But, thankfully, God doesn't operate by modern-day rules and beliefs. God calls whomever in whatever state, whenever, to do what He has already planned for them to do. I may not feel worthy or able or strong enough or wise enough to do what He has called me to do, but do you know what the most amazing part of this is? He is always worthy, always strong, and always wise. I must remember to turn to Him for fulfillment and affirmation, not to the world.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior works in an opposite way to this world. What does He say when someone wrongs you? Fight back? Not at all...
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:39
He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, but did He come to the Earth to be honored, bowed down to, and served? No...
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28
When He asks you to give of your finances, our worldly inclination is that we will not have as much. But...
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. "Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
Though you may get bogged down by fleshly thoughts of negativity about mommy hood, remember that He gave you your precious child/children, and He is the One who will give you strength to do your job, praise you for a job well done, and save a sweet reward for you on the day you meet Him face-to-face. When things are spinning around you, and the world does not revere you for this sincerest of professions, close your eyes, and imagine hearing these words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23
Be blessed, mommies! And remember to check the MMSM tab and the Organizational Tips tab for today's tidbits.
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