On being a working woman

I never wanted to work outside the home.  We have been married for 25 years,  And for 23 of those years, this has been an on going issue in our home.  I wanted to home school our daughter, take care of the house, tend to our garden, and serve my husband.  I mean that is the biblical thing to do right? God would bless our efforts and our finances because I was doing what He calls women to do.  Proverbs 31 was ( and still is) my go to scripture for how to be a godly woman.

Lets look at that scripture.  Proverbs 31:10-31.

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [a] An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,tumblr_nzd2onllCD1skxqqdo1_250
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[b] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[c]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
2536c3acdc939fa14e5bcb392b3dbb8b_51416dcde5e_t23 Her husband is known in the gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

 

I won’t dissect it word for word, but no where in that scripture does it say she MUST stay home.  Is it easier to accomplish these virtues from home? Of course.  Does it show a lot of faith to stay home and live on one income? Absolutely.  Can a godly woman be a godly woman and still work outside the home? Yes, yes, and yes!

The thing is, I wanted to stay home. I wanted to set my own schedule. I wanted to set up meal plans and do the grocery shopping.  I wanted to do the cooking and serve my family. I want, I want, I want…….!

It has FINALLY occurred to me, that it isn’t about what I want at all.  It is about what God wants. And apparently, God wants me out in the mission field. Now when I read Proverbs 31, I read it with fresh perspective.  I see that I am doing all the tasks of a Godly woman, simply by being a Godly woman in my heart.

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Comments

3 responses to “On being a working woman”

  1. arricahess Avatar

    God calls everyone to a different mission, so true. I actually wrote out my story as a guest blog and it is polar opposite. I wanted to go to med school and be a doctor. I had two babies in a year and a half and He called me to be a stay at home mom and homeschool. I had to surrender my dream but I am happy with how He led me. Keep being faithful where you are!!❤

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  2. Mihaela Echols Avatar
    Mihaela Echols

    Yep, it’s a blessing to stay at home. But some families just can’t do it and frankly some don’t want to. Some moms like both career life and mom life, and that’s ok. I have post on my blog talking about stay at home mom life for me.

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  3. Ej Avatar
    Ej

    You know the proverbs 31 woman was a working woman. She made and sold garments. So I don’t feel bad about working outside of the home, even though I would prefer to stay at home and take care of my family that way. I know God has me right where he needs me.

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