Howdy, Siestas! I feel like I should introduce myself again because it’s been so long since I’ve written. Our summer was b-u-s-y but wonderful. Curtis preached at a Bible study gathering called Metro and at a few churches in our area, I led the Ruth study with some blogging girlfriends, we hosted out of town family members, went to Galveston a couple of times, and did lots of swimming and playing with the kids. Tomorrow Jackson and Annabeth will start pre-k and mother’s day out, so I suppose summer is coming to an end for us. Our normal Wednesday church schedule picks back up tonight and I can’t wait to see all the fellowship supper crowd. We have been missing everyone! Jackson gets to join the kids choir as of tonight. I think he is going to love it.
I have a little story to tell you that will explain my recent absence here on the blog. One day in June I was trying to get some work done and I went into the dining room (away from the kids) so I could concentrate. A few minutes later Jackson came running over to me and said, “Annabeth is on the TV!” What in the world? I ran in the living room to find my 16-month-old walking on the console behind the flatscreen and about to dive off into a pile of toys. Needless to say, I was horrified. I brought my laptop back in the living room and tried to finish whatever I was doing. A few minutes later I looked down and saw Annabeth sitting on our golden retriever’s back. All she needed was a saddle and she had her own little pony. I was horrified again! Beckham is a very patient dog and he loves the kids, but that was not okay. I was bit in the face by our family dog as a child and I know better than to trust any animal completely. This happened three feet away from me and I didn’t see it because of my computer screen.
I knew my days of working at home were coming to an end. I either needed to return to the office or stop working. Not only was it becoming unsafe for my children, but I constantly felt frustrated and discouraged as an employee and as a mother. I’m sure many of you can relate to how I was feeling. It was maddening because the world tells women we can have it all – career, romance, family, friends, leisure, and a peaceful home – but the truth is we are all making sacrifices in one or more of these areas in order to carry the others. I felt like my entire family was revolving around me and my needs, when what my soul really longed for was to have the time and energy to serve them.
After many conversations with Curtis, a long heart-to-heart with my mom, and lots of prayers shot up to God in desperate moments, we decided that I would take a step back from my job at LPM for the next year. I have 12 months left with my son before he begins kindergarten and I want to make the most of that time. Next fall we will reevaluate our situation.
I confess I was really nervous to talk to my mom about this. It can be complicated when family members work together. But in my heart I kept hearing my mom say, “No amount of success in ministry can make up for failure at home.” My mom has kept to that after all these years and I’ve benefitted from it in countless ways. Now it was time for me to decide on my own. Would I choose what was best for my family? I could not have imagined how graciously my mom would respond to my cries for help. She was 100% mom and 0% boss in that moment. She told me that when she’d kept the kids the weekend before, she’d sensed that this was coming.
Once Curtis, Mom and I were on the same page, I felt a flood of relief and joy. For about three hours. Then the seriousness of walking away from my job of 8 years came crashing over me. Satan told me the disgusting lie that I wouldn’t be important anymore. As if I should need to be important anyway! I was pretty emotional – swinging from extreme happiness and relief to sadness – for a few weeks. In fact, during that time I wrote two other versions of this post that I deemed too melodramatic to publish.
It’s been two months since the decision was made and a little less time since I handed over my administrative responsibilities to my co-worker, Kimberly McMahon/KMac. She is an awesome lady and I’m very thankful for the gifts God has given her.
Our family is definitely enjoying the harvest from this change. I feel a lot more peace. And that’s a pretty big deal! My relationship with Jackson has improved dramatically. He needed me to say yes more. I’ve been cooking, which my husband appreciates. I will say, though, that motherhood is hard any way you slice it! Can I get an amen? Did this make my life perfect? Uh, no. Did I magically become Supermom? I wish. But do I like motherhood more? Yes. Definitely.
Mom has invited me to keep writing here whenever I have something to share and I look forward to doing that. I will finally have some alone time now that Annabeth is starting mother’s day out and Jackson will be inPre-K. Praise the Lord!
I know that many of you reading this are desperate for your situation – whatever that may be – to change. Please know that when you cry out to the Lord, He hears you! He knows what you are going through. He is your Shepherd and He cares for you. Pray, pray, pray. First Peter 5:7-8 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV) I am asking God to show you His love, power and care right now.
Siestas, thank you for loving my family and for supporting us. We love you very much.
Sincerely,
Amanda
I know that many of you reading this are desperate for your situation – whatever that may be – to change. Please know that when you cry out to the Lord, He hears you! He knows what you are going through. He is your Shepherd and He cares for you. Pray, pray, pray. First Peter 5:7-8 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV) I am asking God to show you His love, power and care right now.
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Thank you for this. I needed to hear this today for the battle I’m in right now. All my hope and prayers are for God to help me.
May God bless you for your obedience to His voice!
-Carrie
In the words of your mom…sometimes it’s tough being a woman! Good choice Amanda! Bless you and bless your family for your commitment. Thank you for all you have done, do, and will do in the future for a bunch of ladies you don’t even know. 🙂
Amanda ~ congratulations on “walking the talk”. We all talk about how important being a stay at home Mom is even as we try to squeeze yet one more thing into an already crowded schedule. Those precious little people with whom you have been gifted, are often the ones as a result, being told to be quiet, wait etc while that one more thing gets done. You have made a choice that while a personally challenging one (oh, how I know that from personal experience) is one you will never, ever regret. This is a season of your life in which serving your family is paramount – Hooray for you honoring that! I look forward to your comments as they happen and hope you always know that you are still important to everyone that counts!
Beautiful Amanda~
I am so happy to hear that your wisdom came from your experience with two precious children needing you completely!!
How comforting & joyful to have the support of your wonderful husband, Curtis!!!
I too, have walked the same path as you.
We have to put our lives into perspective and sometimes that means giving up what we believe is helping, when in fact it is causing loss of family time and stress.
I have given up many assignments to attain PEACE, JOY, BALANCE, COMFORT for a life complete in love, family, children.
I am NOT saying for women to be DOOR MATS.
I am saying that we need to focus on our priorities of what fits best for each family need!!!
My family needed me HOME!!!!
I recall my first WAKE UP!!!
I had just finished singing and the audience had given me a standing ovation when the “light” went on.
I was receiving glory from others as my family was suffering behind the scenes. I walked off that stage and never returned in that type of experience again.
NOW, I SING FOR THE LORD AND MY FAMILY!!!!
I gave up a career.
In return, I attained a loving, content family in its place.
My husband & children came home to LOVE and OPEN ARMS. Our home was the place where all the kids wanted to hang out. I had swim parties, harvest & Christmas gatherings, and ladies bibles studies within the walls of our home. From toddlers to teenagers ~ Our home was blessed!
I still had my music flowing but it was in the kitchen where I performed best.
Singing over peanut butter and jelly/jam ( GJ’s Jam now ~ yummy!) sandwiches. 🙂
I don’t regret for one minute my farewell to a career!!!
I have always made sure that when my children and husband were home, I FOCUSED ON THEM!!
I LEARNED to organize and prioritize MY TIME!!!
Amanda, I am so proud of you!
Now that my children are grown & raised and on their own,
I am able to focus on a new career with the approval of my husband, LORD, sons and it is such a contentment within.
I love you my dear friend!
BALANCE & PRIORITIES ARE EVERYTHING IN THIS LIFE.
Dave and I have ALWAYS made a priority list.
1. GOD
2. SPOUSE
3. CHILDREN
4. FAMILY
5. JOB
6. etc..
We always make sure that the top 5 are in place and IN THAT ORDER!!!!!
Be Still….. Psalm 46:10
With blessings from California,
Kim
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Bless your heart! I know it was a tough decision but I pray you will thoroughly enjoy all that comes with motherhood this next year, the highs and lows! Its never a mistake to spend more time with your family. Love you!!
Amanda,
This post really is a blessing to me. I am still trying to work it all out as a grandmother! I watch my precious granddaughter for my daughter while she works full time. I had to step back from working a part time job and serving on various ministries to do so. It is never easy to juggle watching small children and working, no matter what the job or ministry is. It is often impossible to find a balance and something will have to give. Nothing is worse than failure at home.
Ignore the lies of the devil. You are doing the job God has called you to do. You are important to Him and most important to Curtis and your children.
God bless you and your family! There is a season for everything. Enjoy the one you are in. I am going to take my own advice and do the same!
Amanda, this message could not have come at a better time. I just plopped down at my desk from lunch and read the blog. My lunch was spent rushing home, doing a quick pick up, finishing off dinner that I started early this morning, and leaving a precious note to my hubby and sons to let them know that I love them much and can’t wait to see them. You see, I have to work late and make a presentation this evening at work and I’m feeling overwhelmed trying to balance it all and be successful at the same time. Thanks for the encouragement, the scipture, and simply for sharing. God bless you!!!
Oh goodness, I know that feeling of being torn in so many directions. I appreciate your honesty and openness so much, as a fellow mom. 🙂
I just sent my baby to Kindergarten ~ you are so right in taking these 12 months to enjoy with your sweet boy!!
You will never regret it! Cheering you on from afar!
Amanda, thank you so much for this! I am excited for you! I don’t comment on here much because I’m a mom to a 20 month old, and you know how little time that leaves for blog comments! I have seriously been feeling an urge from the Lord to start leading Bible studies again. I had to give it up when I had my son because there was no way I could have handled it. Now I sense the Lord telling me it’s time to get back to it. I don’t know how it’s going to happen. I don’t really have mother’s day out available to me at the moment, and my poor mother-in-law is overbooked with babysitting as it is! I’ll just have to pray over this more. Thanks so much, and I love you guys!
I know how difficult this decision was for you, because I had to make a similar decision last year. After teaching for twenty years, I decided to stay home and be available for my daughter who is now a middle schooler.
I pray that you will find contentment in you situation and enjoy your family.
I work full time and have a 2 year old and a 4 1/2 month old and worked from home this morning out of necessity as my husband had to hold over at work this morning. Normally I’d leave for work by 7:30 am. I nearly pulled my hair out because I could not do anything well. I kept saying to myself, “This is not supposed to be this way. It’s just not. How in the world am I going to get all of us ready, fed and out the door by 7:15 am every morning once they start school in September? I’m still in my robe with half of my hair flat and the other half frizzy and it is nearly 10 am!” My husband came in from work and all of our contact was a kiss on the back of my head and an “I love you” from him and then we all flew out of our revolving door. Me to work and him to the doctor with both kids for our 4 month old’s check-up. I got to work and read your post. God has been telling me to pack up and stop working for a long time. But I’m nervous about finances, insurance, etc. Days like today are more frequent. Thank you for the post. The Lord is using you to speak loud and clear to me today!
Amanda,
Once upon a time, I was a mom who wanted to work. And I wanted to stay home. And I was scared of “not being important” and “Only” being a mom. I had a very good and dear friend who told me bluntly, that being a mom is not the “only” job I could have, it was the “BEST” job I could have. At that point, I had to reevaluate my thought process, and I made the decision to stay home.
I’ve never looked back.
Best wishes to you.
Hugs,
Melinda
I was in the same boat almost 2 1/2 years ago. A great friend told me that you never hear any older person say they wish they had spent more time at work. That they wish they had put in just a few more hours at the office. But you hear a lot of people say they wish they had spent more time at home. More time with their kids. I made the jump to stay at home mom, and I haven’t regretted a single minute of it. Enjoy your children!
You will not regret this for even one minute, Amanda. Run toward mothering wholly and completely and don’t look back. The pangs for “importance” will come and go but will wane as you see God’s heart developing in your children and knowing that it was you who worked so hard and gave yourself so fully to disciple and teach them. Your heart expresses the feelings/thoughts/emotions of so many women. I pray that your honesty and vulnerability will give them courage to make similar decisions that God is calling them to. You are going to do great!
You did the right thing. 🙂
Oh, sweet Amanda, you’re in such a busy season and it’s so fleeting. Enjoy life. Enjoy Curtis & enjoy being a Mom. You’re right it’s HARD, really HARD and don’t let anyone tell you any different. God has a plan for this time in your life.
From a woman who walked a very similar road of working at home with small people, I remember making the same decision — I had to make a choice to be at home or return to the office. I chose home for several years and now many years later my girls are 17 and 24 and God has me in a WHOLE new place.
He is GOOD and just take a deep breath and remember — they WILL grow up.
Amanda,
As much as we’ll miss your regular presence around here, I’m proud of you for making what I’m sure was a tough decision! I couldn’t help but think of Proverbs 31:28 when I read your post. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” You are that woman!
Most of all, I am thankful that Living Proof is a ministry of real women who aren’t afraid to admit that they face the same hurdles that we all face! Your mom, your sister and you have created a godly legacy precisely because you don’t pretend to be superwomen and leave everyone else to wonder how you do it. We need Jesus around here, not superwoman — and your family has never failed to lead us to our Savior. As always, I esteem your transparency and authenticity. And, in the meantime, I’ll be praying for you as you transition.
Love ya lots, girl!
Missy
Amanda,
We love ya and thank you for your soul baring honesty. We are happy and thankful for whatever God chooses for you to do in this season. He will bless this time. Enjoy it girl and get revived.
yes you can get an ‘amen!’
motherhood is so hard anyway you slice it. i have been a stay-at-home mom since my son’s birth and have worked less than part-time as a photographer. i am feeling quite melodramatic now as well. my little baby just started kindergarten and is gone from his momma everyday. i would give you a ‘high-five’ for making this decision. i have been looking at the clock almost every 20 minutes since monday wondering what my little wild man is doing and how he is getting along. i think he’s getting along just great, but his momma wipes tears away after he enters the building. i have accomplished a lot at home w/housework, work and oh, let’s say everything on my ‘to-do’ list since the summer. you have the rest of your life to get work done but those precious little kids of yours are going to be gone soon. i remember holding my little bundle of joy and thinking 2010 is when he’ll start kindergarten and that will be such a long time from now. well, turns out it wasn’t such a long time after all. enjoy this time and try not to get too down from your decision. just take a deep long look into those two sets of eyes you have and cherish this. i will miss your blogs but we’ll survive.
you will not regret this amanda…in a breath…they will be in college w/kleenex crumpled by the their bed…
your love for Jesus/curtis/children/parents/inlaws and those the Lord places in your path…an example to women who struggled w/work/home…your world may speak louder than ever because you will know what its like to become THAT dependent for every need.
1chronicles 29:12
i’m proud of you. one who made that choice years ago (sons now 25/21) and started to work part time in their middle school years.
Dear Amanda,
Thank you very much for sharing your life with us. After 17+ years of being a stay at home/homeschool mom I type in tears thanking God for His faithfulness. This is the one of the hardest, thankless, nonpaying job I have every had, yet I know I have been “called” to do it. Reading your post pointed me to Jesus and reminded me to cling to Him for all I need.
Thanks again!
in Christ,
dusty
Amanda, you will never regret it. Maybe question it every once in a while, but never regret it. You putting your family first will reap untold blessings and life far into eternity.
I will never regret doing what you have just done. The incredible relationships I have with my college-age kids were born out of the time when they were little.
It is so very worth it.
Blessings to you, Curtis, Jackson and Annabeth
Amanda,
Thank you so much for this post. I cannot tell you how timely it is for me right now. We are in a transition period, moving from a full-time youth ministry position to….who knows where God is leading? We are moving in with my husband’s parents so it will be quite an interesting time with all of us adjusting to that! But I know God is faithful and that His leading is the one thing I can trust…although Satan is quick to play on our weakness in times like these, isn’t he? I have been so blessed by your ministry through this blog and still look forward to things you are learning in your journey as a mom and as a sister in Christ! Many blessings to you and your sweet family!
Thank you for sharing, Amanda! I hope you know how valued and important you are to all of us, and we will welcome your posts with joy whenever you have a spare minute to post one! I’ve been in your shoes and know the feelings that are coming over you, but God did make it very clear to me too when it was time to step down from a position and put more focus back on my family. It’s a decision I’ve never regretted. Even when our kids get older, they need us to be there for them at home, and right now I’m having conversations with God about how badly I want to stay here! Your post and the verses at the end were perfectly timed for me!
I’ve never been prouder of you, Darling. I love you so much.
Bless your heart Amanda. I know this was a difficult time for you but believe me, in the days to come you won’t be able to even take in all the joy and the peace that comes not only in obeying God but in taking car of your family as a godly woman should. This world will call you a failure and a nothing as well because you are not out there working, but don’t you listen! God’s ways are always best and will bring much nore contentment and joy than this world could ever give. I know–I was blessed to stay at home with my 2 children all through their young years and much into their adult years. They will tell you that me being home was their desire and loved coming home to me each day. Even now at 33 and 30 years old they still want me here!!! Go figure. Take this time and soak in what you’ve been given and even Curtis will love the extra time with you. Keep writing when you can, love Carla
Sweet Amanda… I too work at home and have always found it challenging. As I look at my desk today, I see many piles yet to be dived into. Somehow, I’m ok with that knowing that my husband and kids are cared for. Actually I had left an important banking position to work at home, 14 years ago, and have never regretted it. Now I’m just important to my family. Listen to your heart. You will never regret putting your family first.
Thanks for this post, Amanda. You are always so transparent and I feel that God has used you more than once to speak directly to my situation. I have been praying about something similar. I am excited about hearing your mom this weekend in Richmond’s LPL event. Thank you all for sharing your sweet lives the good and hard with us!
I have followed the blog for some time now, don’t comment too much, but just wanted to encourage you that you are not alone in the struggle to balance it all as a mama. As my kids have gotten older and started school, I see so crystal clearly that what these kids really want is me. Time with me. Time with their dad. And it means that alot of “me” has to be placed on the backburner for now. Not everything…we need time to ourselves, we need time with other women, etc.But you get the point. My youngest is the only one at home right now…and I have seen just the simple act of reading books goes a really long way in her little love bank. Blessings to you as you navigate these waters! Amanda
When I first read your post, I was thinking of the impact on the Jones’s and LPM. After reading some of the comments, it strikes me how much this applies to me as well.
I recently decided to abandon my job search for now because I don’t have anyone to care for my dog. It is much like having a toddler, and just this morning @ 4:30am, after having been up since 1:30am with her, I melted. I started journaling to God, telling him that I feel like I’m all alone in this and asking why is he not listening to my prayers.
When I am exhausted it is hard to think straight. God used these comments to remind me that He does hear my prayers and that He has a plan. Thank you for helping me see that.
WOW…what a great post and I relate so much. I totally respect you for putting your family first.
I struggled with this very thing several years ago. I was trying to work as a nurse (part time) and be home with my twins and homeschool them. I was STRESSED OUT, feeling pulled in so many directions. I was afraid to leave my nurse job (that I loved) for money reasons, but also because I had worked so hard to be a nurse, and I felt “important” being one, and using my brain. At first, I believed Satan’s lies, that I was stepping down- to be JUST a mom. But now I totally feel peace and joy being with them, our home runs so much smoother. I feel blessed to spend my day with our kids and raise them up to be godly. God has also provided in every way with our finances, since I left my job.
All that to say……WELL DONE. And it makes me love your mom so much more to know how she responded to you. We need more women like you, who put husbands and kids first…before their own sanity and needs. 🙂
Enjoy every minute.
Kelly in Michigan
I remember when my sons were a lot younger and I was working a job that required 12 hour days and I being a single mom that wasn’t good. I felt tired all the time and I felt bad for being away from them that long. God began nudging my heart to take a step of faith and leave my job. I spent a lot of time praying and praying and making sure I was hearing God correctly. I finally went to my boss and told her how God was leading me. She didn’t take it to well but I knew that I was doing what God wanted me to. I had such a peace from it. God provided for us in so many different ways. I am humbled by the fact that I was able to stay home with them. It was time we needed for a different season that I would walk in later and I am so thankful!
Thank you for what you posted at the very end. I have been believing God for something for a long long time and I needed your encouragement today. I have struggled with wait and some doubt. Thank you!!
May God continue to bless you Amanda and your sweet family!
Love you,
Patty
Oh Amanda I am so proud of you! As one who has walked away from a career to stay home, you will never regret it. Any so-called sacrifices pale in comparison to the time that you will be investing in your children.
You are wise to recognize that the enemy WILL come after you will all kinds of lies. Be mindful of the wise words of our dear friend Jan Silivious who says the the greatest sin is the sin of comparison. You did/do as the Lord leads you for your family and don’t worry about anything else.
much love and support,
The Lord will truly bless you in your decission. You will be missed and I look forward to your future posts, but being there for your family is a calling from the Lord as well. He is there for his family and he wants us to be there for ours.
May many blessing be upon you and your family through the next year.
Hi Amanda…Your words rang so true. I am 31 and live in Austin with my husband and two young kiddos (Elle, almost 4 and Johnny 2 1/2). I grew up in Houston and although we went to St. Lukes I would go to 1st Baptist sometimes to hear your mom and always for Metro. Anyway, I can only imagine how hard it was for you to balance it all well. I quit my job when we had Elle and although I was so happy to be a mom I grieved leaving my professional life and the people I was so accustom to seeing every day. I was so thrilled to be a mother and to have the opportunity to stay home, but I had no idea what to expect. Even without a job pulling my attention it can be hard to keep it all in balance and the truth is, I crave a happy, balanced, centered home. I have to make adjustments all the time to keep up a balance that works for us. I would not trade it for the world. I am so happy for you – I know you know how fast they grow. No one can prepare you for it. To think that our big toddler boy was a true baby just two years ago blows my mind! Many blessings to you and I hope you do log in and write some when you have time. Thanks!
Amanda,
I promise you will never regret making the decision to put your children first. The time they are small is so fleeting even if you spend every moment with them you will still marvel at where the time has gone.
Don’t ever minimize the importance of being a mother and a wife. This is where you can make a very significant impact on God’s kingdom right inside the walls of your home. For every woman who feels insignificant because they are “just a Mom” — don’t buy into that lie! Motherhood may not bring in a paycheck, but the rewards will reach far beyond what you can see.
I work at home and I understand how challenging it can be when your kids are small. It is mentally and physically exhausting and everything seems to take twice as long. Parenting all day and working all night is not a good compromise either (I tried it! Ugh!)
God bless you on your new journey. May you continue to have peace and contentment at home (and not just at nap time! LOL!) ; )
Amanda,
Thank you for your beautiful post. I am in sort of the same boat. I wish you many blessing from the Lord this year as He takes you through a new season with Him.
Dear Amanda,
Thank you so much for sharing. I completely understand. I know you will enjoy being home with your family. Bless your sweet heart. I look forward to your future posts.
I know how tough this decision can be. But you and your family will be blessed. There’s a time for everything. Family is so important. I made a similiar decision (went from full time to part-time) 11 years ago when my son was a first grader, and I have not regretted it!
I am so proud for you to be able to make the right decision for your family! It sounds like it was a tough decision to make, but that the Lord showed you the correct path for you right now. Thanks for sharing because I know there are many other moms out there that needed to hear your message today! And what an awesome response from your mom (not surprising though)!
Thank you Amanda for your post and for your decision to stay home w/your children and put your family first. I desire nothing more than to stay home w/my 9 1/2 – soon to be 10 year old. My husband and I do not see eye to eye on this subject and it is not one I can just discuss freely with him. I work full time and have since my daughter was born. I know she needs more of me than I am able to give her. I have always felt torn and like a failure where she is concerned. Some folks say I am teaching her good work ethic but I think she can learn that and much more by having me at home 100% of the time. 10 years have flown by and I know the next 8 will go just as quickly and she will be off to college. What will she remember of me when she is on her own?? That my retirement savings was more valuable than her wellbeing?? For all of you ladies who are blessed to stay home please know that at least for me I would give my right arm to do the same.
Amanda-
Aahh sweetie, so many of us have been where you are. you’re right the world tells us we can have it all, but we really cannot, not without something getting just parts of us, or worse yet, left overs. we have to put important things first. Believe me when I say honey, your kids are not going to be little forever, they will not always need you to be two feet away from them. They will not always be climbing on the TV (I loved that one) or trying to ride the dog.(loved that one too). So, enjoy them now, enjoy the running around keeping up with them, the toys all over the house, and the “what in the word are you doing?” moments, ’cause later you will look back on those moments, and you want it to be a memory that makes you smile, not wish you were there. You have your whole life to work, and only a few years to have little ones under foot. I think your ‘boss’ will hold your position for you until you can return, no matter how long that will be, even if it’s just part time.
We siestas here on the LPM blog love you and understand your situation. Some of us are thinking ‘been there done that.’
Amanda, sweetie enjoy being the mommy of little ones…and by the by it’s only two. ;0) the Lord answered my prayers a long time ago, and gave me 4. I love it and them…just like I know you do yours. I sure hope you took my comments as encouragement and understanding, ’cause that is how it was meant.
Love ya girl
You are so wise. I was a stay-at-home Mom until my children were in school. You can never get that time back. I was so fortunate to stay home, not every Mom has that option. Even though we could have used the second income, we both worked hard to make it work. It will be such a blessing to your whole family. I will keep you in my prayers. May God bless you for your decision.
Hello!
Blessings to you Amanda for being willing to obey the Holy Spirit’s prompting in your heart! At this point in my own life I too have many uncertainties,changes, and more as it relates to jobs, decisions, housing, & more. Here are the words to a song written (I believe by Richard Sanchez) many worship artists have done (including Free Chapel & Hezekiah Walker), that has become my “life anthem” right now, especially the words, “You make all things new . . . and I will follow you forward.” I hope it blesses & encourages you at this moment in your life!
MOVING FORWARD
I’m not going back
I’m moving ahead
I’m here to declare
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I’m moving, moving forward
What a moment
You have brought me to
Such a freedom
I have found in You
What a Healer
You make all things new…
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
You have risen,
With all power in Your Hands
You have given me,
A second chance
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
You make all things new!
Yes, You make all things new,
And,I will follow You forward . . . .
I love the blog world so much for validation!! I had this same experience a couple of years ago! I knew I wanted to be at home all the time with my kids, but it is hard to a leave a career you’ve worked on for years.
I missed my former title for a long time, but as my first grader headed off to school this year, I knew it was the best decision I had ever made, title schmitle!!
Abby,
Good for you. I know what you mean about ‘titles’. I have struggled with not going on to finish my masters in nursing. I tried on several occasions to ‘go back’ to school but never could quite get excited about it. Because so many people told me how good I was at diagnosing and treating, I felt like I was lazy or a failure of somekind. However, when my nearly 21 year old son and I were talking recently, he simply said, ” Mom, more parents should be like you and dad” (meaning we took time to be with him and listen.) This was the best affirmation I could get and no amount of someone looking up to me for my diagnostic skills can match that!
As we have always told the kids: “People are more important than things”.
Amanda – I can for sure give you an AMEN! I remember, like it was yesterday, trying to put together a business deal with a vice-president of a national company, the phone caulked to my ear, and my then one and a half year old middle child squirming out of my other arm, oatmeal flying through the air, my older three year old son calling out for me.
P-A-N-D-E-M-O-N-I-U-M; pre-school style.
I said, “Excuse me, sir. I’m going to need to call you back.”
That was eleven and a half years ago.
I haven’t called him back yet.
Amanda – you are so right. The world tells us we can “have it all” – motherhood, peace-filled home life, and smashingly successful career.
This is not true.
As much as the Proverbs 31 Poster Gal used to make me go “grrrr” under my breath – what I learned to love about her once I actually took the time to get to know her – is that she understood the seasons of her life. Sometimes those seasons keep us closer to hearth and home. Sometimes they’ll take us out to the marketplace and beyond.
Wherever they take us: Main Street, Wall Street, or our very own neighborhood streets, pushing our children along in their stroller – it is ministry.
I so loathe the lie that “ministry” takes place “out there” somewhere. Ministry takes place right in my heart, first; my home, second; and then wherever else the Lord may use me in the season He has me living.
— I think this may have been my most favorite post ever on this blog. Thanks for sharing your heart and your words. I’ll so look forward to the times when you are able to slip onto the site and bring us up-to-date with what’s happening in your life.
Blessings to you, Warm in Alaska.
Dear Warm in Alaska,
I so loved what you said about “loathing the lie that ‘ministry’ takes place out there ‘somewhere’….oh Amen. That just spoke volumes to my heart! Thank you!!
michelle in VT
So happy for you and your family, Amanda. I had a feeling something like this was up. It is hard being a working mom (and it’s hard being a stay at home mom) but you will never regret taking this time for for your family. 🙂 We’ll look forward to updates as we get them. Enjoy the blessings of motherhood!
Amanda I went through this last March. I started my career six years ago with a large Supermarket chain here in FL. I quickly climbed up the ladder and became a department manager. I was so excited to have accomplished so much in such a short time. Prior to this I was a stay at home mom for 18 years which is a hard job in itself. So in actuality the management job was my second career. Anyway, my daughter who is 15 began to experience some hardship in school and emotionally since I was barely home. I was required to work 50+ hours a week and was always so exhausted. God began sifting me while doing the Esther Study last fall and by March I decided to step down from my management position. I still work but I work a lot less and I have stable hours now.I can’t begin to tell you what an emotional time that was for me. Thankfully, I did a lot of praying and worshiping in my car as well as crying out to God. I agree that it’s been the best thing I’ve done for our family. I also cook a lot more and I am “home” a lot more. That is mentally and physically. May God continue to bless and give you the strength to continue to make tough decisions. Sorry for the long post. : )
Amanda, you’ll never regret the time you’re devoting to your family. God bless you all!