Hey there! My name is Faith and I blog at The Life Of Faith. It’s a play on words really because not only do I write about my life as a wife and mama, I also love to share about my faith as well. It all works out pretty nicely!
This is me.
I have been married to my amazing hubby for a little over 2 years now and God blessed us with a sweet baby girl just 5 months ago. Although I am still a newbie, I have learned much in this journey called motherhood and I love to share the lessons God teaches me through my daughter.
Is Being a Mom really that important?
Even before I became a mom, I have had an inward struggle with significance. I tend to seek out my feeling of adequacy and acceptance in the world’s eyes rather than in Gods. It’s a fault that I readily recognize but still struggle with. Really, this post is just as much for me as for anyone else!
When Kaleigh was born, my hubby and I made the decision that I would be a stay-at-home mama.
I didn’t want it any other way, and I am so grateful that God has put us in a financial situation where that was possible.
However, in just 5 short months, I have come to learn that in the world’s eyes, a woman without a real “career” is a failure.
Stay at home moms are referred to as “just” a stay at home mom. As if that’s all you do…and it’s really nothing.
When people asked me what I do or where I work, I often find myself hanging my head with shame and answering with the cliche phrase “oh, I’m just a mom.”
Just a mom? I’m Kaleigh’s only mom and that’s something that no one else can be!
When did being a mother change from being the highest calling to something that’s an afterthought?
(Just as a side note, I believe that working mothers are also a part of this struggle to realize the importance of being a mom. I realize that not everyone is able to stay home with their babies and those women are just as much mothers as those who stay home.)
And so I struggle with feeling insignificant. Sure I change 10 diapers a day, spend a few hours a day nursing, read books and play with Kaleigh, but does what I do really matter?
Not to mention, at the end of the day, I’d rather have this sweet face looking at me knowing that I did the best I could to love and care for her than the approval of the world or any manager or boss.
More importantly, if I’m doing what God has called me to do, then nothing else matters.
I have come to realize that when I have a chance to serve my daughter or hubby, it’s an opportunity to lay aside myself and serve the Lord.
Matthew 25:40 says “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
In our society, children are regarded as “the least of these”. While children used to be a blessing, they are now too often treated as a nuisance and an afterthought. I want to encourage you to go against the norm and recognize that every time you lay down that project to answer a cry, or give up finishing that blog post to change a diaper, it’s an opportunity to serve Christ and bring Him glory.
There really is no better “career” than that.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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Love this post! Thank you for speaking from every Spirit-filled, SAHMama’s heart! xo http:kloverhouse.blogspot.com
Thanks! I was so nervous to write on this subject because of how sensitive it can be. I’m glad you were blessed:)
~Faith
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post to us! I learned a lot from it and it made me realize how important we really are for our kids. They depend on us and we should be there for them. Your post inspired me in a lot of ways! I’m sure a lot of moms feel the same way too. 🙂
Hi Janet! I’m so glad you were inspired! We can’t be reminded enough of how important we are to our children.
~Faith
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/
Beyond blessed by this post …
I hope you don’t mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. This looks like a refreshing place to dip into some serious goodness.
Also wanted to extend an invite … to share this post (or another fave) to encourage even more moms. We could use it.
Join the Melody …
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/06/time-out-time-in.html
Your baby is adorable! It is a blessing to be able to stay at home with your babies – I have been blessed for 25 years and counting with being able to be home with my 9 children. It has gone so fast you blink and they are grown up- so very glad I have had every minute with them!
Thank you Christy! Wow what a blessing and an encouragement you are able to be to young moms like myself.
~Faith
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/
Sarah I’m so glad you were blessed:) You are more than welcome to share the post as far as I’m concerned. I wrote it to encourage, so the more that can be encouraged the better!
~Faith
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/
very well written post! Thank you so much for your encouraging words – you are so right, in today’s world kids are seen as an afterthought or “the next step in life” and that is very sad. Children are a blessing from God.
Your daughter is beautiful!! Ours is 6 months old now, so I had to smile when I read your give up finishing that blog post to change a diaper, because that’s me. lol. 🙂
Haha yes, well as a matter of fact I did have to pause a few times while writing that post. My blogging has suffered since Kaleigh was born, but it’s worth it:)
Congrats on your sweet daughter. I love meeting moms with babies the same age as mine!
~Faith
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/
Faith, thanks so much for your post, and congratulations on your precious baby girl! You are so right, a momma taking care of her children is the most important thing she could do on earth and for eternity! I am so thankful I can stay home with my little ones (and big ones), it is truly a blessing and a privilege, one that I wouldn’t want to trade for any “career”.
Hi Nicci! I’m so glad you were encouraged. Yes, it’s important to keep in mind the eternal rewards, especially on rough days:) Glad you are able to stay home with your kiddos as well!
-Faith
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/
That was so beautiful, Faith. I have tears in my eyes thinking about God’s perspective about you and so many of us moms. How could we be insignificant? We are so blessed. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you so much Melanie! Yes we are very blessed:)
What a lovely, encouraging post, Faith! I remember being with a group of people at an event, several months after my first baby was born. A stranger (a woman) turned to me and said “What do YOU do in your job?” and I said “I’m a stay at home mom.”
She immediately turned her back to me without saying a word. I was stunned. I felt as if I just wasn’t worth talking to and my life wasn’t “interesting” enough for her. But then later, I wondered if maybe she was trying to conceive and it was just too hard to talk to me. I’ll never know the reason.
Anyway thanks for reminding us that when we serve our family we are serving the Lord! Thanks so much for linking up to the “Making Your Home Sing Monday” linky party today! 🙂
Faith, Love this, and I completely agree. I believe the rise of feminism was one of the biggest hits the traditional family has taken–because with all the women wanting to be “equal with” (and exactly like) men…there isn’t anyone to be the mothers that our babies need. It’s such a sad epidemic 🙁 So glad that you are putting your calling as a mother above career and validation from the world. PS–love the Blog name, too!
Sarah, thanks for sharing this post at Thriving Thursday. I always enjoy your blog 🙂
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt post at Family Fun Friday at Happy and Blessed Home. It is very encouraging! blessings!
This post is beautiful on so many levels. And I LOVE the pictures! Thank you for sharing your heart!
Faith,
What a great post! Being a mother is the most important ‘job’ we could have regardless of whether that means staying home or working outside the home! Love your biblical take on the topic!
Elise @ Harvey Ever After
http://www.harveyeverafter.com/
This looks great!! There’s a new Link-up Party going on this weekend over at One Sharendipity Place and we’d love to have you join in! Here’s the Link! http://thet2women.com/one-sharendipity-place-link-up-9/
Thanks,
All of us at The T2Women