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?

So I Have Been Thinking.....

I shared I am doing the study Stepping Up by Beth Moore. It is so good. Anyway, while I was driving home today from my workout I heard Brandon Heath's song, "I'm Not Who I Was." It reminded me of God's great grace and how much He can change us through it. It reminded me of a question in the study that Beth asked. It was if it was not for God's grace where might you be now?

I thought this might be a fun question to ask you all. Where is it you may be now if it was not for God's grace in your life?

I was a strong feminist. I said I would NEVER get married. I also did not think much of children. I also thought those people in church raising their hands were weird. I was a complete mess. Now, thanks to God's grace and humor, I am a madly in love with Jesus, wife who adores her husband, stay at home mom who adores her children, and home school teacher! Talk about a complete turn around from what I would NEVER be! :) I love it.

I just love grace stories, How about you? Where has God shown His grace to you? Let's give God some praise!

Encouragement

Well, through blog land I have been so encouraged over the past few days. I am praising God for you all! :)

So this am I was over at Robin's blog and she had an awesome story along with Psalm 51. Well, immediately the Holy Spirit illuminated these verses to me:
"12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you."

This was such an answer to prayer. God just always gives us what we need in His living and active Word. It just makes me want to shout! God has been restoring to me the joy of my salvation as I posted below. I have been asking Him if I will ever be able to teach again after all this yuck and hurt I have been going through. Really if I will ever be able to pray like I had in the past or will I let the enemy keep me down?

Then this verse just lit up before my eyes. I have prayed this Psalm many times but never noticed the "then I will....." part. It says, "then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." That is just the desire of my heart that others will turn back to God, like me. Others in the trenches of life on this earth. I do not care where we are or in what setting. Oh just to teach others about God's goodness in the shopping line, at Chuck E. Cheese, or a conference. What a blessing! To top it off I have been asked to teach at a prayer retreat. Through this I know God is up to something. God is so good to restore and repair our brokenness and frailty. I am so thankful to be in His very capable hands. He will never leave us for forsake us(Joshua 1:5)! That is His divine promise.

Live Well Wednesday

Well, it has been another good week. Whenever I continue to picture this body of mine as God's temple it just seems to help me in all areas. I have been drinking more water and eating much better. I continue to work out atleast 3 times a week at the gym with my great friend, Shannon! I did weigh in today and was down only another .5 pound. Does that really count? So the total is 5.5 pounds less. I am also happy to report that my heart is recovering much better now too. I know this activity is making me stronger. Praise God for the endurance.

The best part is that I am finding a new love for my Savior. I have suffered over the last few months with much pain and emotional turmoil. God is restoring the joy of my salvation. I am falling so much more deeply in love with Him. That is another huge component of living well! With that said God has laid some pretty important and exciting decisions and opportunities in our lap. We just want to do the right thing and follow Him. Please lift a prayer for us that we will not lean on our own understanding. Thanks ladies. I am loving this journey with you.

To track others progress go here.

Marriage Monday-Valentine Edition

I am not sure what it is about Valentine's day but really it is a day that my husband and I do not celebrate. My man's excuse is that "everyday is Valentine's day with me." My response is, "yeah right that is just an excuse."

Seriously though, why do we make such a big deal about this one day in the year? We are charged to love by God. That is a 24/7 year round thing. Why just one day of focus? So, call me a Valentine hum-bug if you like. We just do not celebrate this one.

Everyday really is Valentine's day here though. We do truly seek to love each other to the fullest measure. We strive to think of and show our love daily. To me it is much more special to receive a gift on a random day just because than on the day it is expected. It just works better this way for us.

So I leave you this not just for Valentine's day but for everyday:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
~1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

For more Marriage Monday go here.

Good Quote and Prayer Request

"We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road. They get run over."
~Aneurin Bevin, Brittish political leader

We have some really big decisions that need to be made here. Will you please just lift a prayer for us? Thanks!

And the WInner Is.....................

After a random ,old-fashioned pull-the-name-from-a-hat drawing. I am announcing the winner as hsb Suzanne! You are the new owner of the devotional book and a $10 Starbucks gift card. Just send me your mailing address. Hope you enjoy!

You all are so funny. I loved your various comments about what you would do with the book and card! I wish I could give one away to each one of you. You have all made me smile in one way or another. Thanks so much for entering.