Christian moms sometimes have to choose between maintaining a career while raising kids, and letting go of their careers to focus on raising their children. If you're one of the moms who sacrificed their careers in favor of being a fulltime hands-on mom personally involved in the growth of your kids, I have something to share with you.
A noble undertaking
Some moms who sacrificed their careers to be with their kids feel like they're left out and have lost something that's very important. They can feel like other women out there are more successful or fulfilled, or better than them because they managed to juggle raising kids and a high-flying career.
As such, they can think less of themselves because they don't have a job, don't have personal income, and are just there at home taking care of the kids and doing household chores. They can feel they can't measure up to other women, and might even feel small in their husbands' eyes.
Ladies, if you feel like the moms I described just now, I would like to encourage you to stop thinking and feeling that way. Did you know that it's an honor to be a fulltime mom, taking care of her children and raising them up in the ways of God?
Did you know that your husbands are proud of you for taking on the challenge to take care of the kids and raise them yourself? In fact, they may not say it, but they are very grateful that you focus on your children - the children that he would want to be there to personally raise up, too, if he could.
The virtuous wife
You may not believe what I am saying, but the Bible backs it up. In fact, one of the most famous and highly respected women in the Bible, the virtuous wife presented in Proverbs 31, is just like that:
"She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."" (Proverbs 31:21-29)
The virtuous wife presented in Proverbs 31:10-31 might appear to have some career of her own, but in reality we see her as a mom who is personally involved with her household. She "watches" over her household while her husband is working, and personally sees to it that her home is well supplied in every season.
She is not lazy. She makes the best use of her time taking care of her family, making wise financial decisions, preparing for future possibilities, and doing good to the needy around her.
You can be like her
Dear moms, you don't have to feel bad about the career you left for your children's sake. Being a Godly mother is far more important than being the CEO of any company. Your family is your first ministry, and God wants you to do your best for them.
You can be like the virtuous wife in Proverbs 31. Be the mom that God wants you to be: a mom who will do what it takes to raise up her children in God.
