to this?:
In her book, The Way Home, Mary Pride writes:
"What can a woman who doesn't have an outside job write down as her occupation? Housewife? The word conjures up a dull creature with her hair in curlers, addicted to soap operas, and possessing barely enough intelligence to wash dishes. Homemaker? That sounds a little better-cheery ineffiency in a frilly apron and high heels. Homemakers are pretty white females who approach housekeeping with zest and enthusiasm-as a hobby. Homemakers are a decorative luxury only a few men can afford...
But to be a "Working wife" is a different story. What do you think of when a woman introduces herself to you as a "working wife?" Smart effiency in a $200 business suit? Paychecks? Prestige? In the battle of words, feminist have mined the harbor. Mrs. Frumpy Housewife can't hold her own against Ms. Savvy Workingwife."
When I was growing up, I thought about being many things: a singer, a lawyer, a psychologist. I even thought of joining that United States Air Force. Never, ever, did I see myself as a housewife! Like, the previous quote by Mary Pride, I saw being a housewife or being a Stay At Home Mom as one of the most degrading jobs for women. I always wanted to be a career woman. This was what I remember being taught to me. I remember comments such as, "You can't depend on a man...get your degree...travel...take care of yourself!" This was what success meant to me: Being a strong, black, educated, independent, woman. A husband, children, and certaintly did not staying at home fit into "my plan."
Oh, but I found that God had other plans! (doesn't he always?). I ended up falling in love with my best friend of whom I believed God confirmed was "the one." We ended up getting married two weeks before our graduation from undergraduate school. God blessed us to concieve our first child eight months after we were married. So, there I was, thinking I was on my way to a doctoral program, when I became faced with this huge, life altering decision to stay home with my baby or not!
To make a long story short, I will tell you that after much fighting, crying, confusion, questioning, reading, praying, counsel etc, etc I decided to give the whole "Stay at Home Mom" thing a try. I began to seek God's mindset on women, marriage, mothering, and homemaking. I began to have a change of heart. I renewed my mind with scriptures such as, "...they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2:4-5) and "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies...She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her" (Proverbs 31:10,27-28). Eventually, I began to have more peace about following my (I believe God-given) desires to be the primary caretaker of my children.
I would be lying if I told you that this was not the MOST difficult job or task I've ever done (including graduating from one of the most academically rigourous universtities in the U.S.) There have been times I would have traded in my mothering and household responsibilities for a 20-page research paper anyday!
Nevertheless, as I have grown, I realize that this work has eternal rewards! God has enrusted little souls to me that will live forever. My job is to take care of them naturally and to train them up in the way they should go, so when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6). I can't fanthom any greater or more important task for God to give me.
Were you a working mom who decided to come home? Or, have you always wanted to be a homemaker?
What's your coming home story? You can write it in the comments section if you don't have a blog.
For those who have a blog: This is my first meme meme ever! Here are the rules:
1)Answer the question: "What's you coming home story?" in a post on your blog.
2)Link your post back to this site.
3)Tag more people by posting their link in your post, and commenting on their blog and/or emailing them to let them know you tagged them.
I tag:
1. KAAH @www.homeschoolblogger.com/kaah
2. Katie @http://everydaylifeofahousewife.wordpress.com/
3. Molly @ http://counterculturalmom.blogspot.com/
4. Victoria @http://homeschoolblogger.com/victoriacarrington/
Mine is written. :) It was nice to have some inspiration. I should try that more often - getting titles from other people or sources and just writing.
ReplyDeleteI loved the story! Thanks Katie!
ReplyDelete