I heard something the other day, that stopped me dead in my tracks and made me think.
It went something like....
"NO ONE chooses to be a homemaker, or a stay at home mom, like who chooses that? You do it out of necessity, because given the choice, I'm sure nobody would want to sit at home doing the same chores over and over, what's the reward in that?".
I am not one to speak for others, never have been and really never will be, I can only speak for myself, but I have to say that I found that statement quite offensive. I respect opinions, and I understand that every single person we come across, has their own views, thoughts and ideas on what they like and dislike, or what works for them.
This post is certainly not about debating what I heard, but more so about what I felt after hearing it and how I feel about it, as it pertains to me.
I sat for quite a while and let the words sink in, and I thought about it. Am I really doing what I want to do, am I living the life I want or am I doing this just because it's what I've always done, or because my husband said I should?
The answer to those questions is quite simple. I am absolutely, without a second doubt, doing what I love and what I want, and living the life that I want to live. I'm not doing this because I have to or because I was told you.
When I look at that picture above with the family in the living room, it brings me so much joy. It's almost like it transports me to a time and place and to tremendous overwhelming joy in my heart.
I've talked about this before, about how one of my oldest memories are from when I was about 5 years old, and even then, I already had a very strong sense of what I wanted in life and how I wanted to be a homemaker. I wanted to be home, take care of my house, take care of my husband and my children.
It's a personal choice for me, and it works for our family.
Psalm 26:8 says "LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells."
It got me thinking about the ways that God is preparing a Heavenly place for me, and how in a certain way I'm living that right here on earth as I create a home for my family. I want nothing more than for the glory of God to dwell in MY house, because truthfully I feel that He is being pushed out of so many places, and so many areas outside the home that this is the only place I have full control over.
I spent my days doing a lot of the same things, very true, but it's all in how you choose to tackle those tasks and the way you envision them as you're doing them. I don't always go into the kitchen, knowing full well that I have another full sink of dishes, even though I just got the dishwasher running, and feel happy about that.
But I don't dwell on it either, I know that my job is important, even just washing a glass for what seems like the millionth time, is an important job and is always done out of love for my family.
Some may find it funny that these pictures show exactly what I do and what I enjoy doing. I've been told before that it's sad, that it's not a glamorous job and that it most definitely does not convey a fun time.
But I choose to think that is their opinion, their thoughts, their ideas of what to them is considered a fun time.
Not everything we do in our homes has to be enjoyable, but it DOES have to be done with a purpose and the recognition that it's pivotal to a happy, healthy and clean home.
As I was picking up the fluff from one of Marley's toys, for what seemed like the 10th time today, I suddenly envisioned my own life. How I sometimes seem to destroy and trash and rip things apart without realizing the full impact of those actions, and how lovingly, every single time, my Lord is picking up the pieces after me, knowing that before long I'll have it all a big unruly mess again.
And that is how I live my life as a homemaker. Sure my kids make messes, still at this age, sure they seem to constantly leave things for me to pick up and tend to. But if they can't do it at home, where they feel safe enough to be themselves and happy enough to grow and learn who they are as people, then where will they do it?
That is one of the reasons I love what I'm doing. I'm raising them, clothing them, feeding them, nursing them, providing a safe haven for them to retire to when they've had a bad day or when the outside world seems to be a bit too much and too chaotic for them.
I am without a doubt, the best mom I can be for them, right here, at home.
I don't ever presume to know what other moms are feeling or thinking, or if they should be home or at work. It is not my place and I wouldn't ever dream of presuming or assuming anything of which I don't know.
Again, I can only speak for myself, and I am living my dream life, doing what makes me happy, and thanking my husband for the opportunity to raise our children on a day to day basis.
My wish for you all, is that you too are happy with your life, that you're able to love what you do and love where you are.
