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I remember, vividly, as a stay-at-home mom, feeling as though I was lacking something if that’s all I could think of to do with my time. Women were headed to the office with a desk and a title that seemed impressive.
When you’re staying at home and caring for little ones, you certainly have little time left for much else. I remember thinking, Wow…I can’t remember the last time I had uninterrupted time alone to read a book. Just 30 minutes…give me just 30 minutes without interruption!
When my youngest was school-age, I distinctly sensed a seismic shift. All my friends were working girls, and it sounded exciting and fulfilling to exchange the kitchen towel for a briefcase. I decided to go to work almost full-time among the women at our church.
I spent hours each week overseeing the quickly flourishing women’s ministry. It was exciting!
But (there’s always a “but,” isn’t there?) eventually, this began to take up more and more of my time. Dinners soon became after-thoughts, a combination of whatever I could scrounge up from the pantry to make a meal for us and the kids, and my kids and husband missed time with me.
My priorities were slipping as I tried to maintain what I thought was the “perfect” life.
The job had become an alternate source of identity for me. I could hold my head up when asked what I did for work. I had a job, a role that others could see and appreciate.
But in reality, it had begun to impinge on my effectiveness at my first calling: being a wife and mother of my two beautiful children. I had to make a change.
I’ll admit, it was hard stepping back. But I adjusted my level of commitment to the women, and I spent the next six years of my life realistically balancing the privilege of being at home, homeschooling, and participating in and attending the women’s studies at church (without having to oversee the details and demands of the women’s ministry). Unsurprisingly, things ran much more smoothly, and I was a much better and happier wife, mother, and manager of our home.
I was finally able to give my whole heart to my purpose in that season.
What has God called you to in this season? What might need to be sacrificed right now to put your all into your current purpose?
Our perfect balance is entirely unique from others, and it changes for each season of our lives!
Despite what society and all the mommy and “girl boss” blogs might say, there is no “one-size-fits-all” perfect life. But there is perfect for you in your unique, beautiful season. Pray, spend time with the Lord in His Word, and seek wisdom from other godly women. Ask the Lord to reveal what may need to be sacrificed in this season and where you can find rest and joy again.
I am praying for you, friend! May we all encourage each other into a beautiful balance through this precious season.
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