To Work or Not to Work

I received an email today in response to a post I made a couple of days ago where I shared some truths that had been shared on the "Girltalk" blog. While it did not specifically encourage women to be at home with their children it talked (and so did I) about the high value of shepherding your children and being as available as possible to training them in the context of the home.

A friend lovingly emailed me and was concerned about what I had shared...in the sense that it might seem as though a "mother at home" is truly "better" and "more spiritual" than a working mom. She knows I love God's Word more than anything and wanted to know where I stood on this issue and why. I originally planned to just email her back and share my heart but I realized that if she had this question, maybe there are others of you who have the same one:) (And, just so you know, she knows that I am sharing this will all of you!)

I will be honest...I address this issue with fear and trembling and only because I feel God is laying it on my heart to do so. I have DEAR friends on both sides of this equation and my desire is not to hurt ANY of them!!! In fact, my desire is truly to step out of the way and stick to Scripture as much as possible!:) Don't read between the lines :) but do read each word knowing that it is written in love!

There is no Biblical mandate that requires women to be at home full-time. You just won't find it! Nor will you find Biblical mandate that says women must work out of the home, although you do find reference to some sort of employment by a few women when you read about Leah, Dorcas, Priscilla and even the Proverbs 31 woman.

What you do find, though, is Scripture on what a mother IS supposed to look like when it come to the home. I Timothy 5:14 says that we are to "manage our homes"(the Greek term for this phrase denotes all the aspects of household administration , not just raising the kids) and Titus 2:5 says that we are to be "workers at home" or "homemakers". You can't read about the Proverbs 31 woman without recognizing that home was her primary sphere of work,too.

The key word in all of this, too me, is the word PRIMARY. God has called us, as women, to make our husband, kids and home our primary ministry(Titus 2:5). There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. Scripture is clear! What is not always so clear is how that will look in each and every woman's life. I am not trying to walk the middle line to make everyone happy... but bear with me while I explain.

Approximately 75% of women in our country are in the "work force". Clearly, our world sees a woman working as not only acceptable, but the norm. Which actually makes ME the odd duck out!!! That could leave me feeling very unsure about the choice Bryan and I are making in regards to me being at home. Just as a woman working could feel unsure about being in the workforce (whether she is there due to debt, husband's desire or her own personal choice) when she reads books or articles that talk about "Christian women" staying home. It actually can put both "sides of the issue" into confusion or at least uncertainty as to what they are supposed to do.

But that is the beauty of God's Word EVERYTIME!!!! We never have to be confused or uncertain. We never have to fear if we are making a wise choice. Proverbs 3:5-6 is an oldie but goody that we can cling to: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths". We acknowledge God by going to His Word, by obeying His truths and submitting to His plan for our lives!

So, that leaves each of us in a place of self examination (and that might include some insight from our spouse or a dear, godly friend :)). We have to go to God's Word and ask ourselves if we are obeying His call for our lives...whether we work or we are at home. Here are some questions, taken from Scripture, to ask ourselves: Are we loving our husbands, first, and our children next of all? Are we doing our husbands good and not harm each day? Can our husbands trust us and know that all is well when it comes to the "homefront" (since we are called to be the managers). Are we following Deut. 6 and talking about the things of the Lord with our children whenever we are with them? Are we lazy or do we work hard? Are we providing meals for our household? Does our family have clean clothes to wear :)? Do we discipline our children diligently (Proverbs 13:24,23:13)? We set the "tone" in our home, what tone is it? Are we giving glory to God whether we eat or drink or whatever we do? Do we laugh and live life joyfully?

Sure, there is not one of us who will live this out perfectly...or who will not fail in some areas multiple times a day! But the question really is, "Are these things our priority and how can we best accomplish them right now?" Many of us are in different seasons of life which creates different sets of circumstances! But one thing that never changes, that never goes through seasons and that is a constant standard is the Word of God. Everything we do or not do must be done in light of His Word. So, for me personally, both Bryan and I know that I could not maintain a job outside of the home and still do the things we believe God has called me to. That may not be what it looks like for you...but I rejoice that what it should "look like" for both of us is a passionate, Godward focus that affects everything and everyone around us!