What does Contentment look like?
I’m a working mom. My husband is the one that stays at home with the kids because his work allows him to work from home and mine doesn’t.
When I initially meet people, one of the first questions asked is, “What do you do?” My response is, “I’m a Systems Analyst,” despite the fact that I feel as though being a mom to our kids is what really defines me. Why is that?
Sally of Sally’s Words wrote an excellent post not long ago that expressed her views on the fallacy of thinking that a woman has to have an outside job in order to find self-worth. Her post has got me thinking. Take a look for yourself!
What does Contentment look like?
A job outside of the home would be nice. It would validate me as a person, right? It would help me to feel like I made a difference in someone’s day. It would boost our family income as we begin the trek toward college. Yet every time we start talking about me getting a job, it just doesn’t seem like the right time. I know every family has to weigh that decision for themselves, but for my house, I want to be around while my kids are still home.
There’s also a fallacy with thinking that I have to have an outside job in order to find self-worth. My worth cannot come from what others think about me; it has to come from a secure place deep inside. I think I am getting closer to that place, the more that time passes by. Now you could ask me tomorrow and receive a totally different answer, but for today, I believe in what I am doing. Maybe it has to do with letting go of trying to please everyone, but I like to think it has more to do with finding contentment.
Where does contentment come from? Paul says in I Timothy 6:6 that godliness + contentment = great gain. I like that kind of math. As I seek the heart of God and settle into what He calls me to do, I will find something of greater worth than money can buy. So maybe a part of contentment is found in submitting to God’s will. Every day is a tug-of-war in that process; I still have my own ideas about how life should function. However, it functions much better when God’s the one in charge. So maybe contentment isn’t found in a job or the size of house I live in, or where my kids go to school. Maybe contentment is more about who I am in Christ, and in finding my security in Him.
I think I’ll take that to the bank!
I love it! Very encouraging post. Stay at home moms all have the same struggles…but really it’s the best job in the world!
Contentment is being wise with all that you have been blessed with; it is working hard, being honest in all dealings and staying out of debt so that you can have time with the family and Church; being able to serve others through your faith in Jesus.
Life is backwards…. we are wiser by the time we are past middle age, have more time and patience to raise children.
So DH and I have decided to start over and adopt after he retires from his paid job; he will be a SAHD. Life will be good with a little one around and lots of time and no guilt raising her full time.
Thank you for the topic; makes us think about our blessing and not be chasing the worldly affairs; you are right, closer to our Lord is what it is all about.
Alyson LID 01/27/06