Would I swap work for home? Of course . . .
...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
Philippians 4:11
I have been home for the last three weeks. I have enjoyed lunches with my husband, romantic walks, sewing, re-arranged cupboards that really didn't really need re-arranging, sorting out my winter clothing, reading books in the sunshine and visiting the library to stock up on more. I enjoyed eating breakfast in bed whilst I read, I had lunch with my eldest son and breakfast with my youngest, I watched DVDs on rainy afternoons and I planted out annuals for winter. I also did the usual housework which never takes very long, baked and make dinner most nights (unless my husband spoils me and cooks). Who wouldn't want to be at home. It is quiet and rather blissfull. If I was at home, this is what my life would look like. It would be perfect - who wouldn't want a life like this.
Have you ever wondered if I would swap work for home?
Of course, I would love to be at home full-time.
No more deadlines.
No more getting up at 6am and driving to work.
No more getting up at 6am and driving to work.
I would be my own boss.
I could enjoy all my hobbies - I could start new hobbies.
Just imagine how many books I could read.
I would get myself involved in charitable activities such as "meals-on-wheels" or driving people to appointments.
But this isn't my calling.
It isn't God's plan for me. I have prayer vermently that God changes our current situation - He hasn't and I must obey Him and learn to fully accept His decisions for us and trust Him.
I choose to trust in God so please don't feel sorry that I go off to work and you are at home. It means you are feeling sorry for the plan that God has given me and that is wrong.
I try hard not to be discouraged, I am learning to be joyful and content in our current circumstance and I thank the Lord daily for all that He has provided.
Let me explain.
It isn't God's plan for me. I have prayer vermently that God changes our current situation - He hasn't and I must obey Him and learn to fully accept His decisions for us and trust Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I choose to trust in God so please don't feel sorry that I go off to work and you are at home. It means you are feeling sorry for the plan that God has given me and that is wrong.
I try hard not to be discouraged, I am learning to be joyful and content in our current circumstance and I thank the Lord daily for all that He has provided.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Let me explain.
My husband is retired, it was unexpected, sudden and certainly not what we wanted to happen.
Bills need to be paid, we have mortgage and adult sons that still require our help. I work to support our family.
That is just the way it is.
Do all things without complaining or disputing (Philippians 2:14)
I don't work out of selfishness or greed, to buy a second TV or more gadgets for the kitchen, another car, grand holiday or to have more fun. Nor do I work for some feminist ideology. I work to support my family to whom I love dearly. As a helper to my husband I take my "help" role seriously and that at present is working. Yes, life at home would be wonderful - I won't argue with you on that, but until God changes His plan, I will continue to rise every morning at 6am and do what God has asked me to. I am not going to argue with Him.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:11-12)
I do what I do with contentment and joy - this is my calling from God and I am not going to grumble and moan at God for not letting me be at home sitting in the sunshine. One day I will be at home full-time and how much sweeter and more precious it will be because it will be God's will and not my will. I just need to be patient and wait, my turn will come, so please understand a little more.
But just because I go off to work doesn't make me less a "keeper of my home". I love my home, I love pottering about, cooking meals for my husband, baking bread, helping my children, gardening, sewing my own clothes, making the house look pretty and feminine and doing all those domestic activities that you love too. We are all managers of our small country and like you, I love taking care of it. But I choose to submit to God's plan and not to my own and this is His decision, whether I like it or not.
But just because I go off to work doesn't make me less a "keeper of my home". I love my home, I love pottering about, cooking meals for my husband, baking bread, helping my children, gardening, sewing my own clothes, making the house look pretty and feminine and doing all those domestic activities that you love too. We are all managers of our small country and like you, I love taking care of it. But I choose to submit to God's plan and not to my own and this is His decision, whether I like it or not.
The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect,
it just means I appreciate what I have
and what God has blessed me with
(author unknown)
it just means I appreciate what I have
and what God has blessed me with
(author unknown)
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Hi Jo! Thanks for coming over to my blog for a visit and for your sweet comment. This was a wonderful post and your blog is lovely! Blessings, Debby
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much for dropping by:))
DeleteHave a wonderful week ahead.
I agree wholeheartedly with you here. I would love to stay home but unfortunately at the moment it's not something my husband and I have agreed is possible. By working I'm submitting to my husband, and still being a keeper at home, two virtues of Christian womanhood. I keep my home, feed my family, clean our home, and do the million other things that need to get done, and sometimes my lamp does not go out at night. It is exhausting at times and I do daydream about being home all day but by God's grace I have the strength and courage to get it all done.
ReplyDeleteEmily, women like us are going to treasuring being at home when the day comes - it will be extra special indeed. Women are meant to be busy as we can see in the Proverbs 31 lady - she was up before dawn and went to bed late and did some many things in between including tending her vineyard. There was not sitting about enjoying a cup of tea in the sunshine or napping. I am sure she got tired too:))
DeleteHave a lovely weekend ahead and may God give you the energy you need.
(((hugs))) to you, dear sister!! :-)
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful week ahead:))
Deletelol Jo. I am SAH ~ but I am rarely home. I am the family Chauffeur, up at 4 am to drop son to a boat. out at 8.30 to drop daughter to work [repeat for the afternoon shift]; I am out to shop, attend bible study & prayer mornings, pay bills & evenings I am the designated body guard for our youngest as she attends rehearsals & performances on the mainland! This is what I need to do for our household to function at present. I get tired & grouchy because I do get overloaded & some days are very long. Whether people do paid or home is not the issue imo. It is a heart attitude.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very busy lady and I would be exhausted with all the driving you do. I do hope you have a lovely week ahead.
Delete:)))
We are all given or set on a different road to travel. We have no right to say ours is right and someone else's is wrong even if we feel strongly about the issue (the only exception being if we see someone purposely sinning, in which case we should encourage our sister in Christ to seek God's will, gently and humbly). The point is that when we face our God and Saviour, WE will be responsible for OUR own life, not for the life of others. We are responsible for whether we did what needed to be done in obedience to God, and with what attitude we did it. Were we doing it begrudgingly, or were we content and drawing our strength and joy from Him? Were we thankful for His blessings despite our circumstances, or did we murmur and complain??
ReplyDeleteThe Lord bless you, Jo, as you seek to serve Him the best way you know how in your circumstances. Much love and hugs xx
And that is what is important - we are serving God, not man and we need to do it joyfully no matter what it is. I think that is often forgotten.
DeleteI do hope you and your family have a wonderful week ahead.
xxx
Thank you for posting this :-) So wonderfully encouraging for us who 'have' to go to work even when perhaps it would not be our choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy - there are so many blogs that just don't cater for women like us that I thought it was important to write this to share with those women who aren't in our situation so they can understand where we are coming from .
DeleteI don't get up at 6am just for fun!!!
Jo, I cannot tell you how much this has helped me tonight.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
I am so glad :))))
DeleteGod bless
Dear Jo, Very well written and I sense your heart in it also! I do not feel sorry for you, rather I admire you! I would do the same to help my husband if he needed it!
ReplyDeleteYou always look up, not down and that alone marks you as a woman after God's HEART!
I still believe as you do being a keeper of the home;
But sometimes we must work outside the home. I did for years till my husband was given by God a high paying job. But would I do it again you bet!!
Love You, Roxy
Thanks Roxy - I would happily swap work for home and one day that will happen. In the mean time I will do whatever God asks me to do - I couldn't ask for a better Leader and guide.
Deletehave a wonderful weekend.
xx
I have 5 kids and home schooled most of them up to the fifth grade then I had to come home. I have been working now for 7 years. I will probably work for the rest of my life unless something changes. I would love to be home but it is not possible right now. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWe would all love to be at home - I am yet to meet someone who wouldn't want the freedom of being at home and doing what ever they want. But reality calls for many of us to work and we need to make the best of it with a cheerful heart and a joyful song. No one says its always easy but this is our calling and no one needs to feel sorry for us. With God on our side, we won't fail :))
Delete