Stay at Home Mom-Why do you do it?

Hey this is for all you SAHM's out there. Christine has posted about this subject on her blog. She is linking it to stories from other SAHM's. It can be a good source of encouragement to share our stories. So link up if you want to participate in this one.

About 6 and a half years ago I was working in one of the best ministry settings you can imagine. I was finally doing what I wanted to do. I had success in my field in my eyes. I was very satisfied. Then that "Prayer of Jabez" book came out. Well, my husband and I began praying that prayer and expand our borders is what God did! He sure expanded my body into having our first child!

I was so excited yet I had dreams of pursuing my doctorate in my field. I had been accepted to several of the colleges of my choice. All things seemed to be working out. I was torn. What about this little life that God was entrusting to me? My husband worked full-time too. How would we make all of this work?

Over those 9 months God did a great work in my life. He showed me places where I was being selfish. We could survive on one income if we really wanted to. That is a blessing. Not everyone can do this. That doctorate I wanted to pursue was really for selfish reasons. I wanted the success and title. I of course would never admit that to anyone but that is what was in my heart.

Letting go of all that I put my identity in was a miserable grieving process. It was a death. Death always has to come before life. I was dying to myself and my selfish ambition. God had important things to do with me and this little bundle of joy He was entrusting to me.

I suffered a year finding out where my identity rested. I felt unvalued. In the world's eyes I am. Yet, there are times in our lives when God calls us to bigger things. Beth Moore states it like this, "In God's economy the way up is down." That explains it quite well. Unfortunately the one who holds the house together and choses this route which is the best for the family does not get recognized even by the tax breaks that are being sent out in May. Interesting world.

Over those next years I cannot tell you how wonderful this "job" has been to me. My rewards are not worth anything on this planet. Except the joy that comes from investing and spending my time with my children. Pouring my life into theirs. My husband is a HUGE part of this as well. We both died to our selfish dreams to really invest in our family. It is a season that flies by so quickly. It is what God has called us to do.

If you are one of those women out there who cannot stay home please do not take this the wrong way. I have so much love for you. Some people do have to work. I understand that. I admire you for that. It seems that for some reason mother's always feel guilty. If you work you feel guilty. If you stay at home you feel guilty. Let's just call that what it is. It is LIES. Anything that makes you feel condemned IS NOT from God. Never forget that. The world is hard enough to live in these days. Let's just submit our families to God, listen to Him, and walk in His ways. He will direct our steps. Those steps include loving our families and making them a priority. No matter what situation we are in that is the key. Love.

So, how we made it work is only a testament to God's grace. We were drowning in debt. God took care of it in miraculous ways that just came our way. An inheritance check. Raises. Extra jobs. Spending less. Cutting coupons. With each sacrifice we made, He brought something new into our life. Where we died, He gave a blessing. God is truly Jehovah-Jireh. He is the one who provides our every need. He lives up to His name. He never changes. Some of the steps we had to take were completely on faith. We had no idea what would happen but we were obedient to what God called us to do. With obedience comes blessing. That is just the way it works. God is good and never changes.

I now have been called to home school these children. It has turned out to be a great blessing. I am loving it more and more every day. Sure there are days I want to just run away and have a break. But the rewards to sticking to it are great! God blesses obedience. Just listen to Him and what He has called you to do and follow. He will provide the rest. As the old song goes, "Just trust and obey. There's no other way."

So how bout you? What's your story?