Sometimes keeping the home means going to work

There is a battle going on in the hearts and minds of modern moms every where. People have strong opinions on both sides of the fence, and it seems like no matter what side you choose you will be judged for it.

As you may have figured out, the battle I'm talking about is the decision to be a stay at home mom or a working mom. If you choose the stay at home route you could be called lazy, or old fashioned. Some people will even show pity upon you.

Then if you choose the working mom route you could be called selfish, or a bad mom. And yes, there are still people who will show pity on you.

When you think about a traditional christian home you automatically assume the Mom will be home, taking care of the children and serving the husband. Even the bible tells us we should be "keepers at home."

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. -Titus 2:5

If a woman is financially able to keep the home while being home all the time she extraordinarily blessed.  I have been living that life for several years now, and it has been a great blessing for me and my family.

But there are times when "keeping the home," means literally we need to do something before we lose our home. It just isn't always possible in 2013 for a family to live off one income. If a woman is blessed with a husband who is strong enough to admit that he needs help to support the family financially she shouldn't hesitate in doing what needs to be done to help.

Let's look at our beloved proverbs 31 woman. She was not home all day. She worked with her hands (v 13), she bought property and planted a vineyard (v 16), she even made and sold linen (v 24). She did what needed to be done to care for her household. She did all this under the authority of her husband. He trusted in her (v 11).

I think it's time we let go of this guilt we feel about our decisions. As long as that decision is made with God and with your husband it is the right decision for your family. As for my family we've decided that I will be going to work part-time, and that is ok.

Mama's sick

I came here to write a blog post about being sick. But it seems my head is filled with other things, mostly snot. I'm ready to be healthy again.

Have you ever heard the expression "Mom's aren't allowed to get sick." That's usually true for me. Usually when I get a cold it's a walking cold and I just do what I need to do anyway. This cold broke that rule, it knocked me on my bottom.

The kids have been on their own all day while I've been asleep on the couch. Luckily the big one went to school. I let the little one have a lunchable for lunch. It's funny how guilty you feel giving your kid a lunchable, and the kid thinks it's the best lunch ever.

The worst part is I have a job interview tomorrow. So please pray for me.

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. -James 5:15

Bedtime Prayer

In yesterday's post I resolved to start a prayer routine with my two boys. I wish I had done it sooner, my older boy is already 6. I don't think it's too late now.

When I was about his age we said our bedtime prayers every night. In my memory it was every night, it might not have been. The prayer we said is a very familiar one, and a little harsh for young children.

Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
Pray the Lord my soul to take

The last thing I want them to think is that they might not wake up in the morning. And it's really not the last thing I want to say to them before they go to sleep.

So I re-wrote this classic prayer. I wanted to add in asking for forgiveness, because even as children they sin. I also wanted to add praying for friends and family. Hopefully with time they will add their own prayer requests and really make this routine their own.