From work to home - Part 3
By Christy B.
I went to college and I was very career driven. I was finishing college and working full time when my husband and I got married. Two years later, we had our first child. It broke my heart to leave her everyday...all of a sudden none of my 'career plans' mattered. I wanted so much to be at home with her, but I had always been encouraged to get a degree, a good job, etc.
After a lot of prayer, my husband and I decided I would quit work. At this time, we had already been living on two incomes and had known my income would go way up after graduating from college (the place I worked at had promised me a management position the summer after I graduated). On paper, my husband's income would not pay our bills. However, we trusted in the Lord that this WAS His plan for our family and I quit work.
I can't even begin to tell you the ways that He provided for us! Financially, we made it, in fact, we had had quite a bit of debt and once I started staying home we felt convicted that we must get this paid off. Because I was staying home, I was able to focus on cheaper menus, grocery planning, and I was able to be creative in our frugality. Within 3 years we were completely debt free, other than our home! This was NOT my husband and I - it was the Lord!
Our oldest of 4 children is now almost 13. I look at her and am so thankful I have been able to cherish every day spent with her! Time has flown!! If every young mother knew just how fast the time will go they would cherish every day!! In a few years, my babies will all be leaving to start their own homes, I am tremendously thankful that I am able to focus on relationships with them, and quality (and quantity, for those who argue which is better!) time!
Our lives are so different than they would have been if I would've continued working. I spend every day playing, singing, reading, schooling, etc. with my children. I couldn't ask for a better life! I wish someone would have shared all of this with me 13 years ago and taught me that life is not about your income, your house size, or your position. As a wife and mother, our lives are to be about being keepers of home and training up children. I am so thankful the Lord showed me this. The Lord is so faithful, He will provide all that one needs as long as we obey Him.
As for staying home before a wife has children, I think what a couple of other ladies on your blog have said is so true. It is during that time, you can focus fully on your husband and being his helpmeet. What husband wouldn't just absolutely love that? Because I quit work after having a child, I was staying home for my child. But the Lord soon convicted me that I my first priority was to be a helpmeet to my husband. That was harder for me to figure out how to balance the two - to be honest I even fought those convictions at first. If I would have started out our marriage at home, each transition would have been much easier. Not to mention what I could have learned and worked on staying at home! -Christy B.
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:46 AM
3 Comments:
This is so true. The home is in order, and it seems that things just go much more smoothly when the wife is in the home! Also, I do not believe people fully realize the peace that comes from being debt free! Presently, we just owe on the mortgage. We place extra on the principle each month and have set a goal to have it paid off. I believe the Lord blesses us by supplying every need. Ruth
Thank you so much for posting Christy B.'s commentary. What a blessing, and an encouragement! Thank you for sharing these stories and please do continue with more - each is another concrete reminder to me that God will provide for us when I quit my outside job and trust in Him and my husband (even though he's a student!) to provide for our needs.
I was just wondering what exactly what a stay at home wife does when she has no children? I am absolutely for women being keepers at home do please do not think I am trying to say something negative. It's just that since My three sisters and I are practicly grown we take care of most of the chores. My mother takes care of the bills and most of the cooking(I help menu-plan,shop, and cook sometimes), our schooling is unit studies which we I do with my sisters. So besides cleaning, menu-planning, cooking, and childcare what else do I need to know for future? Of course besides the Bible. I am sure that if I had to do this by myself it would take up more time. Would someone please post what there day is (or was) like before they had children. Are you really too busy to get a side job? Is it alright for a women to work before she has children? I've heard too many people say that stay-at-home mom's just sit one the couch whatching T.V. Should I be doing something else?
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