Some days I prance about my home and tell my daughters 'I have the best job in the world." I say this because I do. When I was a little girl I dreamed of many things that I could become, but in the deepest recesses of my heart there was always the desire to marry. Imagine my delight if only I had known I would marry and have eight little blessings! Some days I sit on my couch and gaze out my window and sit in wonder of how God sovereignly placed me in my home---what a wonderful life God has given me. At times I feel like pinching myself just to make sure this is all real.
Everyday I wake up I know have the day at my fingertips. What do I want to do today? What do I feel like doing? Surely there are requirements of me, but to have this kind of freedom within my day is incomparable to what most of the world faces daily. There is no boss --only Jesus, and my home beckons me to use my creative juices to the fullest. Didn't I also want to be a teacher at one point when I was about ten? Yes, that desire is fulfilled now as I homeschool my children.
My days are full. Full of love, hugs, kisses and blessings. And surely full of hard work, messes and challenges.. but all of this is undaunting when I think of all the moms who have to rush out at sunrise and drop their little babies at the local daycare--only to pick them up in the evening and do it all again the next day.
I can try my hand at just about anything that interests me---from blogging, to gardening to a full range of ministry opportunities. I don't face the same time constraints as many woman do. I am free to do as I like in my home. I can create any atmosphere I desire and stop any endeavor I don't. The Lord has richly blessed me to be in such a position, my heart aches for the women who are unable to do this because I cannot imagine the hardship that comes with being divided against your home and children for the sake of having to work. Or let me take that back, I can imagine it, and that is why I pray for them.
It is always an adventure around here. It doesn't get dull or boring because I am in control. My days are filled to the brim with exciting possibilities. One minute I am full fledged interior decorator and the next I am Taste of Home's newest budding chef! Some day's you can will find me feverishly planning the years events, vacations and parties for our home and the next I'll spending time teaching myself all I can on the innerworking's of a church--which, is in my opinion, icing on the cake!
So don't look at your blessed homes as drudgery, dear mothers and daughters. It's from the outflow of your heart that will be put into that sacred place. Learn to love your home and the outpouring of that will overflow into the rooms and souls of all who live within it. You will absolutely experience the richness that comes with this abounding opportunity to bless those around you in the greatest journey of your life---living out your dreams with those whom you love most....your family.
23 comments:
Once again, Mrs. Fuentes, you stir the fire to be at home in my heart.
I've been through much in my lifetime. However, I can say without a doubt, that the most difficult thing I ever did was to drop my children off at preschool when we were both in tears - crying because we wanted to be with each other. :(
My husband is still not quite ready for me to be at home and I don't know if he ever will be. However, when I AM at home - I love it and try to be the best mother/homemaker/wife that I can be. Thank you.
You are very, very blessed...
I don't think our family will ever be at the point where I can stay at home...(financially or otherwise)...but I deeply respect the work you do, and only hope that we all can find satisfaction and inner happiness doing what God has called us to do...whether inside the home or outside the home or a combination of both...
May the Lord bless you and your family...
This was also my dream. All praise to God for His richest blessings in my life.
Blessings upon you!
Gina in AZ
Thank you for this encouragement. I always wake up and feel all the things I "need" to do weighing on me. I feel guilty thinking of all the things I "want" to do. I'm not used to that freedom and feel badly b/c others don't have that. So I focus on the need to do things and then I feel that I am working very hard.
Obviously, I'm missing out on some freedom here!
Amen! I can't tell you how this post makes my heart sing! It's because I feel this way but could never put it into words like you just did!!!!!! God bless you today!!!!
Laura :)
this is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Amen! I am a homemaker and an artist (I write, and I'm also an actress), and I can personally testify that I have never felt so free to create and learn as I do when I have time and energy to devote to God, my family, and my home before school or a job. As an actor, I have the privelege of working only part-time for two months or so at a time, and only when it's appropriate for our family that I take up employment. The times when I'm in a show are very enriching--and usually slightly chaotic--and I find myself always being so grateful for the ebb and flow of these times with the richness of the rest of my life, when I am able to devote myself to my family at home.
Peace,
Bethany
oh, my dear... this post is my heart! i have been one of those mamas dropping off her precious babies at the daycare, and now i am so blissfully blessed to be able to be home with them.
no boss except for Jesus,
all the day before me every morning,
time with my children,
time to be creative,
time to be giving,
what more could anyone ever want out of life??
Isn't it wonderful to realize you are the manager of a whole domain? That includes so many options and choices that are endless. May we take dominion in the area God has called us to and we'll begin to look at our "job" in a whole new light and be so much more fulfilled in our blessed roles:) Ladies, we are shaping the next generation--what is more important than that??
it's wonderful that you are in a position to do what you truly like...unfortunately this is not possible for many of us!i could never give up work, because it provides me with financial independence and gives me the opportunity to use my talents. I want to marry and have children (ideally i would like to have 4 , although this idea horrifies my friends and family ) but i will never give up work. I'm not the "housewife" type (no offence ) and if i tried to be i'm sure i'll be miserable since i hate household tasks like cooking, cleaning, etc. i was raised by a nanny and i had a very happy childhood and even if my nanny was the most important person in my life when i was a little girl, as i grew up i had a great relationship with my parents and love them very much.my mom has always resented the drudgery of housework ( she sees herself as an unpaid servant ) and all the women i know feel the same. that is why i was so surprised to read that you and other women actually enjoy it..what i intended by this comment was to say that children who don't spend all their time with their parents can also have a very happy childhood and that many women find happiness and fullfilment and can best use their talents and intelligence by having a job. i don't mean to criticize you and the others in any way. in the end what matters most is that we do what makes us happy and fulfilled.
I cannot thank you enough for posting this. Sometimes I feel like I'm not living up to my fullest potential to those in my family in the outside world. This is such an encouragement. I have printed out pretty much every article and I quite frequently refer to you in my blog. I pray you have it in your heart to continue your Titus work. Blessings to you and your family!
~Mrs. Farrah Ginter
What a wonderful post! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing. I love the way you expressed the joy and wonder of all the things that you can find to do in the home. This fills me with fresh inspiration! It is so true! I love always learning and exploring making my home more of an embassy for the kingdom of God. I have been reading your blog for a little while, and have been greatly blessed by the edifying contents. Thank you!
It never ceases to amaze and delight me that when I feel overwhelmed, I can read your delightful blogs, or reach for a devotional reading from my bookshelves, or delve into the bible, and become lighter and brighter as a result. Then I feel I can influence my own small sphere, where God has placed me, and the load is a bit lighter! One of life's greatest joys, I've realised, comes from learning from others. This is surely the internet at its best - to be able to reach out to others with encouragement. Thanks, and blessings to you, Mrs Fuentes :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed the reminder and encouragement to always remember how blessed I am to be a keeper-at-home! I needed a reminder to keep my outlook positive!
This is such an encouragement for us stay-at-home moms! This is how to think positive :) I'm printing this off and reading it whenever I feel 'drudgery' coming on :)
In Christ, Chanin
What a great post. Thank you for reminding me of why I do what I do!!
This was so encouraging to me. I stay at home and is what I really want to do and I am so thankful. Yet day to day it is hard sometimes. I have a question for you - this is my 2nd year to homeschool our 9 year old and I have a 19 month old and one on the way and sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed and all I have time for is school & homeschool activities (our daughter would rather be in school and misses having friends so I feel like have to do as much as can with other people and it is still isn't enough for her). So I don't get to do stuff at home as much as I want and I don't feel like I spend as much time as I should with my baby - you know actively teaching her things too. So how do you balance everything?
What a sweet, delightful post. So inspiring, especially for someone who is preparing to become a bride so very soon!
One huge thing for families to think about~ The delima of affording to have the mother be a full time mom at home is about the same delima of ~ do we have enough to have a child or more children? Can we really ever afford kids?? Or to stay at home?? If we waited for that day we perhaps would not do either. Both requires an act of faith and common sense. By common sense I mean. If you are on one income (and a modest one at that) then you will have to do without. Things like going out to eat,getting your nails done,new car,...the list goes on... plug in those things in your life that you are spending money on that are just not necessities.
I had a friend complain to me that they (her family) did not have enough to buy a home. I asked her a few questions and found they could save over $500 a month by NOT eating out!! They stopped eating out and now own a nice home!! And have 4 kids to boot!
My husband and I drove around in cars for 8 years of our married lives, that when I would go to my car in a parking lot, I would pretend to be going to the nice one next to my eye sore. And at the last second I would quickly open the door and jump in.
We never NEVER went out to eat, NO movies, NO cable (can't stand tv so this was no biggie),drove junkers, and I became garage sale queen.
You would be surprised at what your family can do if you sit down and figure it out on paper.
OK just do not ask my hubby if I am a budget whiz because I am the one always messing up but hey I am also the one who does 100% of the shopping! Sometimes ladies you just have to take a step of faith. Blessings~
Thank you. I am sitting here in tears, so grateful for the blessing this post has given me.
I am grateful to be able to stay home with our two boys, but with the possibility of a third child on the way, I have to admit I've gotten a little apprehensive lately... Your post has encouraged me that I AM doing the right thing, the right way, and definitely for the right reason.
THANK YOU.
Thank you so much for posting!
It's such a good reminder of the blessing that it is and how wondeful I have it!
I'm following you now! Thank you!! :)
clarinetlaj@gmail.com
I know your SUPER busy, but if you have a minute i have a question i could REALLY use help with in my marraige.
Post a Comment