Worth Calling a Career

“Being a mother is worth fighting for,
worth calling a career, worth the dignity of hard work.”
~ Edith Schaeffer

It always seems the sunshine and warm weather makes the children sprout up faster. And it is on those days, when I see their freckles spotting, their eyes twinkling, their little feet splashing in puddles and bigger feet running through the green grass, I thank God for the blessings of just being home.

I am so grateful and thankful to be given the task of being a stay at home mother. I remember the days when I was busy and running a photography business, rushing out the door in the evening, dropping the girls off at my mother in laws for babysitting, arranging to leave work when my husband would be coming home … those days are long gone and for that I am truly grateful. God is gracious and merciful.

I had a dear friend who always said, “Gillian, clients will always be there, but before you know it, your children will be grown.” She, too, was a photographer, and she knew the love of photography, the joy of having a great session and producing images for families that they would love for years. However, she was also wiser and knew that her children would grow too quickly. Now, her children are grown and mine are quickly following suit. I am so grateful for her words of advice that encouraged me to not keep up with every other photographer, to slow down and to love being a mommy.

I always knew I wanted to be a stay at home mother, as my own mom had set a great example. I knew I would never put my children into daycare and promptly quit my full time job after the birth of our first daughter. But somewhere along the way, the temptation and the lure and the world marred my vision. It was not “enough” to be a stay at home mom – you had to have something that made you unique alongside of that, so it seemed. Many women are still like that today – they are at home, but they are busy, too busy, filling their time up with other activities, hobbies, home-based businesses, the attraction of having that extra income, that keep their eyes shifting from children to work, from book keeping to how to get make more money. No, I am not against home-based businesses (they can be a great blessings in financially tight times)! It just seems there needs to be a very strict balance between your duties as a mother and wife and the business you are running on the side.

If you are “bored” at home or not feeling fulfilled … maybe it is time to ask the question: what else can I be doing at home to bless the family, bless others with my family, save money, make things easier for my husband? Surely there is something that can be done around the home to fill your time. When I wake up in the morning, my feet are literally itching to hit the floor and start another day. Each day holds a new challenge, a new blessing, a new adventure – and I am JUST a stay at home mom! I know the world can appear exciting, making money is fulfilling, meeting other adults and clients is satisfying socially … but I just beg you to keep your eyes on your family and the Lord and see where He is leading you.

Your workplace may be closer than you realize – inside your own front door.

P.S. I’m heading to my midwife this morning for my 28 week checkup. I feel so much bigger this time – perhaps my muscles are so stretched out after 8 pregnancies! Looking forward to hearing the heart beat. Braxton Hicks are terrible with each pregnancy and definitely happening in this one. I am trying to get all my major chores done in the morning and then physically rest a bit in the afternoon.