All my life as I dreamed of what I wanted to be when I 'grew up', I imagined a big family. I imagined lots of kids running around in my yard as the sunshine cast beautiful rays on the green grass. The day I met my husband I actually said "I just want to be a wife and have like 10 kids" (which was very desirable in his eyes I might add). As high school ended and college began I struggled a little bit on what I wanted to 'do'. But shortly after beginning college I found what I thought was the perfect career for me. I pursued my goal and enrolled into the program and did all of the necessary things to get through, and eventually, I did.
I started my career right after graduation working full time. I loved my job. I was very good at my job and very quickly started advancing in my career which meant job switching and brought higher titles, higher pay and more responsibility and I loved it. There was satisfaction when working with people and having them thank you for helping them and show you appreciation for your hard work. I soon had a team under me that I was able to do the same for and show my team how much I appreciated their hard work. Work was good, and I couldnt imagine not working.
My husband and I decided it was time to start a family. We didnt change much in our lives or careers at this point and its a good thing because starting a family proved to be much more difficult for us than we had imagined. It was a constant struggle to try to 'figure out' where my life was intended to go as infertility struck our family, hard. After over a year my husband and I both decided it was time to stop trying to 'figure it out' and just start to live our lives as if we weren't 'trying'. We booked a vacation (we had previously been afraid to schedule anything because of the 'what it'), I found a new part time job, 8 minutes from home. We thought this would be perfect for after baby got here and just decided that me working part time at this point would be fine, my husband started a side business to make some extra easy money working from home... we just went on and trusted that God would provide, one way or the other. And HE DID.
Shortly after, we conceived and it was an incredible blessing. More than can be described in words... I continued to work part time and really had a great time doing so. It was fun to have a group of coworkers to share my journey and truly care about and be happy for us. 2 months before baby was due, we got word that the facility my company was working for, was terminating our contract. This means that I was still employed with my company, however, they would need to find me a new job and location. The environment and type of position I had, would be impossible to replace, my husband and I knew that. My company tried to offer me a similar position 35 minutes away from home, which I declined. I started reaching out to other companies trying to find what I had before... the weeks were counting down and I still had nothing planned. I did however, have companies that just needed me to fill in occasionally for vacations or call offs. I worked the day I went into the hospital to have my son.
After things settled down from the birth and bringing home our sweet baby boy, I started feeling as though it was time to look around for something. I contacted all the companies I knew and many reached out with positions they had. None of them seemed right for us. One evening I was talking with my husband and just expressing concern for what I should do. After praying about it, my husband said to me "You know, God provided that part time job for you while you were pregnant, and He also took that job away right before the baby came...". His prophetic words hit me. Is this what you want Lord? Do you want me to stay home with my son? It may sound strange, but the SAHM thing, never had crossed my mind. I just assumed I would always work. It was still a few weeks of praying and turning down more offers from companies that the Lord made is clear that staying home with my son was his plan for mine and my son's life. It was also the Lords plan that at almost 8 months postpartum, he would bless us with another child (coming in less than 7 weeks).
I am proud to stay home with my son. I am proud to be able to teach him and mold him and show him Christ on a daily basis. I am honored that the Lord would entrust such big of responsibilities on me and trust me enough to bless me with ANOTHER little one to train up. I may not hit the mark everyday. I may not be the perfect mother every day. I may not get the house cleaned and dinner cooked and laundry done every night... But I'm privileged to be home and be the one caring for my child.
If you are a SAHM and struggle with purpose, or feeling as though your work is worthless or trivial... hear me Momma, YOU ARE NEEDED. YOU ARE NECESSARY. Out of all the people in this world, God chose YOU to be your child's momma. No one else can do this job better than you. And you are doing an EXCELLENT JOB!
Take time today to Thank the Lord for the responsibility He has given you in raising and caring for your children.
Lord, Thank you. Thank you for your timing. Thank you for your plan in our lives. Thank you that when we think we know whats best, that you quickly show us your plan. I ask that you help us to be the parents You want us to be. I ask you help us to feel accomplished. Reassure us that Your plan is always better than ours. I pray for our children Lord. I ask that you help us be the example to our children of how to be people of integrity and to show our children to live is Christ but to die is gain. As parents help us to die to our selfish desires everyday and look towards You for direction. We love you Lord and thank you again for Blessing and Entrusting us with so much. Amen
