Life is all about choices. Some of the choices you make affect your life for years to come. One of those choices is the decision to have children. Once you have children, you face a whole new series of choices on how to raise them.
Society tells us that a woman who forgoes a career to stay at home with her kids isn't contributing to the world. She's sometimes viewed as unfulfilled or unproductive, as the following conversation implies.
New acquaintance:"What do you do?"
Woman:"I'm a stay-at-home mom."
New acquaintance:"Oh...But what do you do"
If you've ever been pegged that way, then you know how much it hurts. That condescending attitude is unfair to women who are making a sacrifice to do what they believe is best for their kids.
At the same time, some stay-at-home moms harshly judge any mother who chooses to work. Judging another woman's choices isn't loving and it's not your job-it's God's.
The Bible clearly tells us the importance of a mother's influence in her child's life-for good (like Eunice in 2 Timothy 1:5) or for evil (like Athaliah in 2 Chronicles 22:2-4). A parent can only influence a child if she spends time with that child.
Some women, particularly single moms, can't afford to stay at home. Maybe that's your experience. If so, you know the time-juggling you have to do to make sure your child has time with you. But time together is of immeasurable worth.
Regardless of your station in life, ask yourself:
- What message am I sending my child(ren)?
- Does/Do my child(ren) know that they are the most important thing in my life?
- Does my kid(s) know that I'm willing to make sacrifices in order to be with them?
- If you choose to pursue a career, what is your motive-personal fulfillment, genuine need to earn money, a desire to maintain a certain lifestyle, a conviction that this is what God wants for you, or...?
- If you choose to stay home, what is your motive-guilt, genuine desire, pressure from others, a conviction that this is what God wants for you, or...?
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
{Deuteronomy 11:18-21}
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
{Psalm 127:3}
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
{Proverbs 31:10-38}
10 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 women 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:
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