I Love Being At Home
Sep 8th, 2008 by Sylvia
I love being at home.
I have always loved being at home.
There have been times in the past where I allowed the doubts and opinions of others interfere with my love of being at home.
It was hard when I realized that my Mother was disappointed in me for not persuing a career. That made me feel like a failure.
A friend of mine, a private school teacher, recently commented to another women in my presence that it is impossible for a family to live on one income today. I’m not sure if she forgot that I was there or thought I worked outside the home. That kind of hurt my feelings.
Its hard to be the only woman at a church who does not work outside the home. Its lonely sometimes. Let me tell you something shocking: my daughter in law has more stay at home friends than I have ever had. My generation swallowed the feminist agenda hook line and sinker and everyone I know personally has a career. Not that careers are always bad things, don’t read me wrong. But if you’re a woman reading here, you know how important women friends are to women!
Its hard to find common ground with women who have careers. I feel out of the loop.
The older I become, the more I love being at home. It doesn’t really matter to me any more what others’ opinions are.
The older I become, the more confidence I have in doing what God has called me to: staying home. And the better I become at it.
I don’t miss a “career”.
I don’t miss an “education”.
My husband likes me to be at home.
My grown children tell me that they are glad I stayed at home with them.
Some of my good friends do not see the value in staying at home. They don’t say it directly to me, they wouldn’t hurt my feelings for anything. But they believe a life at home is a life wasted.
I know that my life has not been wasted, but poured out for the Lord and for others. I’ve enjoyed most of it.
I vowed to the Lord some time ago to stop struggling with what the world and well-meaning friends tell me; that I need a career in case ’something happens’ to my husband.
Do I think all women, including you, should stay at home? Well, as most people do, I had rather you liked me than not, but I will go out on a limb and say, yes, I think all Christian women should consider that God may be leading them to stay at home and manage a home (and perhaps a family) instead of seeking another career. The world is a very different place than it was just 75 years ago. I would never say that all women, without exception, should stay at home. You and I know that all women cannot. But I believe that those who can, and should, and choose not to, are flirting with disaster.
I believe that we all have to decide what level of income and material comfort we want to live at and then go about working toward that. But it is wise to weigh what we will have to give up when we make the choice to have a two income family.
I didn’t stay home just so I could have time with my children. I stayed home so that I could create and care for a home, cook healthy meals, manage the home instead of running through and hoping it all falls into place eventually. So that I can take care of our clothes and linens and keep them in good repair instead of going to Stuff-Mart and buying new ones frequently. I stayed home so that I can be available to my family and friends who may need help during the day, so that I can lend a hand, lend a car, make a meal, pray with a friend, visit the sick, teach a friend to can tomato sauce, call or write a letter and teach my children to do these things, also. I stayed home so that I can head that committee or work at that cause that means so much without taking away anything that my family or home needs.
I stay at home because it is where God has called me to be and where He has blessed me the most for the past 28 years. I feel very humble and thankful that God has allowed me to be at home and serve Him here for all these years.
Amen! Thank you for re-validating why I’m here at home (not that I was having any doubts!) I remember when I was 18 and a high school counselor asked me what I wanted to be. I remember thinking, “I want to be my grandma. A stay-on-the-farm wife!” It took 4 years of college and 10 years in a career before I found my way back home. But so glad to be here!
Sylvia, You’re speaking straight to my soul right now. I have told you before how as a young girl, I dreamed of being a wife and mom. I always dreaded the question: what do you want to be when you grow up? No one wanted to hear my answer (wife and mom) so I was at a loss at WHAT to say! But God knew all along… Being home is such a treasure and a blessing!
Love, Karen
Thank you for this post, Sylvia. You blessed me. I always wanted to be a wife and mother. I knew that it was a Godly calling, but everyone said it was a waste and I should be in college and have a real career. We waited 8 years for children, then the Lord blessed us with our 2 boys. I was 33 when our youngest came to live with us. He was 4 days old. That was when I decided that I did not want to give up one minute of the time the Lord have graciously given me with them.
I’m glad I’m a SAHM! Thank you again, for reminding me why.
Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy,
What a sweet post. It really blessed me to be reminded that each minute is a gift from the Lord.
Love
Sylvia
AMEN Sylvia! The timing of your post is wonderful as Dave has told me he doesn’t want me to find a job, he’s had a careful think and reconsidered and has decided that it’s not in the best interests of us a family to find a job and we will manage somehow. So, I just have to be a bit more ingenious in thinking of ways of being frugal. God is good!
Yvonne! That is such good news!
I know you will find ways to be more frugal.
I am looking for ways to do that, too. I guess I always look for the ways that will have maximum impact and immediate results! LOL
But I know that the little things build on each other and make a difference, too.
God bless you as you look for ways to save.
Love
Sylvia
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