The Working Mother

In Shorthand by WendyLeave a Comment

The topic of working mothers comes up a lot in my circles. It seems there isn’t a one-size fits all for everyone. But often it leaves many to wonder why not if we have been counseled to make every effort to stay home with our children.

Why does God ask some women to sacrifice their careers for motherhood?

Why does he ask other mothers to sacrifice part of motherhood for a career?

We have been told that all experiences are for our good.

And God knows what we personally need to progress and become who we are meant to be in this life.

And what experiences our children need to grow.

We should never assume that what is meant for us is what is meant for all. That is simply not that case.

And further, God has a work to do.

Building the kingdom and preparing the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ requires that we build relationships through the natural flow of life, relying on the Spirit to guide us to where we are meant to be at any given time.

There is no doubt that motherhood is our most holy and sacred calling, but how we mother and the amount of time we have dedicated to our children will vary. But it never has to diminish our role, or the impact we have in the lives of our children.

If you are called by the Spirit to work outside of the home for any reason, who knows, but that your children will gain the independence God intended them to acquire, and learn to rely on him more earnestly… or really any other number of reasons you may not be aware of.

It is truly a blessing to be able to stay home with my kids. But there have been many times that I have been guided to work on a project that would take me away from my kids for hours each week. There was even one time that I knew that one of those projects would look a lot like work to my family and kids and I prayed to God that there would be another way to accomplish it. He just replied to my heart with, “I’m so sorry.” And when I asked how I could possibly accomplish it all, he again replied, “You are my daughter. Look at all that I am able to do.” I am certainly not able to do all that he can do, but that is what I am on earth to learn, to be like him.

And time and time again I have felt him reassure me that the time I am away from the kids, or when my mind is occupied with project and work details, that the kids are learning what they needed to be learning, too.

If we can’t always be home, we can surely strive to always have our hearts at home.

You just never know the call that has been given to anyone. There really is no one-size fits all for motherhood or career.

To sacrifice career for motherhood, or moments of motherhood for a career… it is still sacrifice. And a sacrifice that God truly blesses our hearts to be able to endure, love, cherish and magnify.

I really appreciate this article from the March 1986 Ensign – Working Double-Time: The Working Mother’s Dilemma

Instead of comparing our situations to each other, let’s commit to be a support to one another.

Let your heart be in the right place always —at home—whether you can be there full-time or not.

Happy Mother’s Day to all women who nurture and guide the next generation with all their hearts.

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