|
| Motherhood: a career to ASPIRE to (Mothers Day 2007!) |
|
| |
When considering a career, most young ladies think outside the home. Even as motherhood approaches them for the first time, they usually consider "resuming their career" after their maternity leave is over. But perhaps the one that gets me the most is the question, "does your wife work?" (Of course they mean, what is her job outside the home.) But I usually say something like, "You have no idea how hard!"
I truly believe one of the most important careers is that of being a mother, and perhaps even more precisely, a stay at home mother. The job of instilling Godly wisdom and Christian character into children is a responsibility of incredible proportion, and takes a bottomless well of dedication, patience, passion, tenderness, vision, strength, and stamina, just for starters! In my opinion, dad’s job outside of the home is actually the great supporting role in the family, whereas mom’s job is the core role around which the entire household revolves.
Women who sacrifice their career aspirations and claims to a lifestyle of their own choosing in order to dedicate themselves to family exhibit true Christlikeness by doing so, in my opinion. No criticism of women with dual careers is intended, but we must admit that there is something very special about moms who willingly choose to serve their family full-time (and overtime) in the home. Often this means doing with less in life, possibly a more modest home, fewer family vacations, secondhand cars, etc. The point is, Christ's example is one of sacrificial servanthood, and moms who take on the identity of a servant in the home (as if it were their "career") demonstrate this attitude full-time. My deepest admiration goes out to such women!
On a personal note, I’ve been fortunate to have three tremendous examples of Christ’s humility and servant attitude in my own life in my wife, my mother, and my wife’s mother. I know of no other woman on the planet who’s desire to serve more closely resembles Christ’s like my wife, Laura. And one of the chief reasons I am able to call Jesus my Lord at all is my own mother’s faithfulness in raising me. And finally, I wouldn’t have a wife of such stellar quality if it weren’t for the incredible sacrifices made by her mother.
So there’s a godly heritage of womanhood for you. My daughters could not have asked for a greater advantage in their own quests for godliness than that! And ladies, I certainly could never thank you enough for all that you’ve done for me as well. Happy Mother’s Day 2007, from the bottom of my heart!!
~mike |
|
| To add a comment to "Motherhood: a career to ASPIRE to (Mothers Day 2007!)" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 13, 2007 |
 |
|
|
| Hey, Norm left a star! We must have made a believer out of him! Just kidding Norm :) |
|
|
| May 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
| If only more men thought like this. |
|
|
| May 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
Hi Rosie! (thanks for the star!!) In this modern era of equal rights and equal opportunity, women are typically expected to carry an equal share of the bread-winning duties. BUT by far most married women ALSO fulfill their traditional roles INSIDE the home as well (cooking, cleaning, laundry, and motherhood - a second career in itself!). The exploding divorce rate (which began to rise sharply in the 70s not long after women entered the workplace in droves) seems to testify to the wisdom of this new societal approach. ~mike |
|
|
| May 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
I enjoyed reading a man's point of view, even if it is not the everyday opinion. Whenever people ask me waht my favorite job was - the answer is always being "mom". It continues today even though they are grown and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thanks for the comment on my idea for acknowledging mothers as part of the church service. |
|
|
| May 16, 2007 |
|
|
|
Good blog, Mike! With kids aged 18, 21,23 and 24.5, I am on the tail end of raising my kids (is there a tail end?). We homeschooled all of them all the way through, finishing up two years ago; we've only ever driven used cars; we still rent instead of own a house; I worked (very) part-time since the beginning, but it's always been accomplished in such a way that I was there for the kids, ie. home businesses or ones with great flexibility. Through it all I've organized homeschool groups and activities, co-opped with other moms, headed up children's church and boys and girls programs, led small groups, been a Bible Quiz coach, been team mom for the kids' sports, been a youth leader, etc. There's no way I would have been able to do these things if I chose to work every day, nor would I have wanted to. We feel SO blessed to have been there for our kids in such a hands-on way, and we are and have been seeing the fruit of that in their lives. |
|
|
| May 16, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Jen, that is incredible. As I read your comment I thought, wow it's supermom! Very admirable choices, I absolutely love hearing about it. ~mike |
|
|
| June 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
I just looked at who starred this blog, and with two exceptions it's all women. Frankly I'm shocked! And this was a Mothers Day blog too! Holy cow men, where are you???
(if it's because you aren't web-savvy enough to know how to star a blog, here are your instructions! -LOL) |
|
|
| March 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Mike....I know that you wrote this blog not far from a year ago...like I said when I first joined mychurch, and became your friend, I had a LOT of your blogs to catch up on. This one I hold very dear. I am a stay at home mom. I have been almost all of my motherhood life. I actually refer to my "job" title as "Domestic Engineer". I have five kids. 25, 24, 17, 14 and now one that will be 2 in April. (yeah..we thought we were done...God has a huge sense of humor) I also have a grandbaby now that I babysit during the week.I am praying that my daughter and her husband will be able to experience this as well. They both work...hence my babysitting. Anyway...It has always been my desire to be at home with my children and taking care of my family. I do realize that some families feel the need to have two jobs...but...we trust and have faith that God WILL and has always provided. Thank you for this blog! After my day...I think I really needed to read this one. :) |
|
|
| March 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
Valarie,
I hear you, Ms Domestic Engineer! :-) If anyone ever says, "oh your wife doesn't work", I laugh and quickly correct them. She works as hard as I do, or harder! I have deep respect for stay at home moms (SAHM)!! Thanks for your comment here! |
|
|
| May 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| This was a great blog. Many blessings to you and the family |
|
|
Follow this blog
