I remember this moment all too clearly. It was over eight years ago, my second daughter was just recently born and I was carrying her proudly in my arms. My mom was introducing me to a group of friends while attending a social event …
“This is Gillian, my daughter – she’s a stay at home mom,” she said.
In my selfishness, I all to clearly remember adding, “and have a photography business.”
Just like that. Here I was, holding my sweet baby girl, and yet it was as if my role as a mother to my two girls was not enough. Was I afraid it didn’t compare to the business titles of those around me? Did I fear that those in the conversation would think of me as less than those with a high paying job or a fancy label in their career?
{Lavender – 6 months old – oh, how I love this precious chubby baby!}
Yes, I was a photographer, sure, I was running a small business on the side. Previous to photography, I had attended college to study journalism and spent a few years being a reporter. I had loved every minute of my newspaper job but knew that having children would mean putting a career aside – for a while, for a long time … I understood the value of a stay at home mom, as I had myself benefited from a loving mother in my own childhood. I had been raised to appreciate, love and admire the role of a mother. And yet, here I was, a young 20-something mom and already feeling as if I needed to boast of my worldly accomplishments in order to be respected in a social circle.
This journey of motherhood has had many changes for me – the biggest being a change in how I, personally, viewed my role as a mother – I have learned to view it with an eternal perspective… that being a mom to the children God has given me was ENOUGH – more than enough!
Mothers, let us not be ashamed of this God-ordained role of raising children. It is a high calling and while the world may view it as less, we know that God does not. To have this amazing and incredible opportunity to be the ones to lead our children through life – it’s spectacular and humbling, all in the same thought!
Do not be ashamed to say you are a stay at home mom! Be proud of your beautiful role as a mother to your children. Do not think you need to add a title or a fancy job description to what you already do. The world may never place value on motherhood but God sees what you do day in and day out.
“When you go out with your children, lift your head high, put a smile on your face, and be proud to be a mother.
You have one of the most important careers in the nation.
God Himself is your employer and you are helping to determine the future of this nation.
Be a light in the midst of a society that does not embrace children. Do not be intimidated.
Show your love for your children as you speak sweetly to them and are patient with them.
If God has blessed you with a number of children, be proud to display your “blessings” from the Lord.
You reveal to the world what God is like for He loves children.
Jesus did not reject children. He welcomed the children to come to Him…“
– Nancy Campbell
by Gigi
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