Stay-At-Home Mom

I’ve recently been hearing about stay-at-home Moms and how it seems it is a woman’s ONLY calling to do that. The argument has even gone so far as to say “it’s in the Bible” which does not seem to be the case.

Let me explain by using certain verses in Proverbs 31, a passage of Scripture which is also recommended for women of today to follow.

Vs. 16 – “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”

Looks to be in this verse she is buying real estate.

Vs. 24 – “She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.”

She has a business making items and selling them. Now I realize that some folks out there think women should totally be domesticated and make items like this, but the point I am trying to make is that she has a business and she made inventory in order to sell items.

I was told in the Old Testament they actually had businesses in the back of their houses and the whole family had to work in them (including the wife and children).

Now do not get me wrong. I do understand the importance of being there for your children and pouring into them. I believe that is important too. If there are women out there who are specifically called for only this purpose, than that is great and they should do it to the best of their ability. I also believe that your family is your first ministry and the one that should not be neglected.

My point is that most women do have other skills, gifts, talents and abilities than just being stay-at-home Moms. I think it is also important to use those skills in some capacity while raising kids. It does not necessarily have to be working 40 hours a week to use those skills; there are other ways, even very creative ways, to use those skills. Volunteering, starting or helping out in a certain ministry, stepping up on a specific project at a certain time, working part-time or from home with a business, and on and on. There are many ways to use our skills outside of the home.

And there are many ways to use our skills, gifts, talents and abilities within the home as well they just need to be recognized as such.

My Mom was a stay-at-home Mom. It worked for my parents. However the other thing I most remember as I grew up was that my Dad always encouraged my Mom’s growth. He wanted her to be involved with the finances (they both knew what was going on) and she could use them as she saw fit in our household (food, clothing, school supplies, events, etc.) He also encouraged her when she wanted and did take some courses through distance education. He stood by her side and encouraged her when she went on a short-term mission’s trip with me. And now he encourages her as she is volunteering in a position she has always desired to do. That is what has inspired me to realize as a woman, it is okay to have certain skills, gifts, talents and abilities and to use them.

But the other thing that my parents and Proverbs 31 have shown me is…

Vs. 23 - “Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.”

…to marry a man with reputable qualities himself and who will not feel threatened by my skills, gifts, talents and abilities.