This has really been on my mind lately, so I'm going to vent about it once and be done with it.
I am going to be a stay at home mom when I have babies. No, I'm not pregnant, and no, I don't know when it will be God's timing for us to have kiddos, but I do know I will resign so I can be the one to raise my kids. In no way am I criticizing moms who do work, but it is a personal choice Jonathan and I have made for me not to have a full-time job once we have children.
I have expressed this desire to a few people and have already began receiving criticism form it. I just DON'T get it! I know that's what the Lord desires for my life, and what I feel as if he has commanded of me as a woman and mother in His Word. He tells us our job is to keep the home, be a supportive, submissive wife, and raise our children in a way that glorifies Him. I know that I will not be able to do those things to the best of my ability if I am trying to manage all of that on top of a full-time career. I know many women can, but I can't. I just heard on the radio this morning that many working mothers are depressed because they can't do it all (although they are less likely to show symptoms of depression). I know from experience that I am not able to give 100% in all areas of my life because I am already stretched so thin and pulled in so many directions. It is not a good feeling, and I do not want to feel that way when I'm a mom.
I cannot tell you the number of teachers I work with who have expressed a desire to stay at home with their children, but can't because of financial reasons. I get that, but Jon & I would rather go without some things to be able to pull this off. We have set ourselves up financially in a way that will allow us to do this in the future. The only debt we have is our house, and we are planning to start saving as MUCH as possible until this day comes. (And I do plan on doing something to supplement my income for those of you who are SO thinking we're not going to make it....RUDE! Maybe jealous??) I heard an inspirational story on the Fish the other morning about a family living just fine off of the husband's teacher salary (of less than $40,000 a year). He wrote a book about it...
It IS possible, and thanfully I have a really hard working husband who is also willing to do what it takes.
SO....Yes, I am going to stop teaching, even though I have spent a good amount of time and money in the past few years on degrees. Yes, even though I love kids and can "change lives" while in education. Yes, even though we
just bought a house. My FAMILY is my first ministry, and I know I will feel the most fulfilled keeping the house the way I like it, planning and cooking healthy meals for my family, being even more involved in youth ministry at church, encouraging others, having more time to spend with friends and family, and possibly homeschooling. I will not be bored....or be sitting on the couch watching tv all day...or whatever it is people seem to think stay-at-home-moms do. (I'm sure there are some who do this- but for the most part this is a HUGE misconception!!!!) I will be fully devoting myself to the great responsibility the Lord blessed me with as a wife and mother. And that is a HUGE job!!!
This is something Jonathan and I have prayed about, so I feel like if anyone has an issue with what WE are doing with our life, they can take it up with God. We already have.
Okay, I'm done. :)