Good thoughts. Reminds me of Brother Lawrence being content peeling potatoes in the kitchen (Practice of the Presence of God) and GK Chesterton's quote on learning to be content -- making the most of the situation and not thinking you're stuck there forever. It's important to be content with whatever roles God gives to us. I'm on the other side of raising kiddos, and each moment invested in them is totally worth it.
I love that quote about peeling potatoes. It’s so important to trust God with where he has placed us and exercises wisdom paired with contentment in those roles.
Totally. It changes everything when we fix our minds on I Corinthians 10:31. So whether we eat, drink, wipe snotty noses, scrub yogurt off the walls...we do it all for the glory of God.
I couldn’t have loved this more. I have a little different vantage point, as I made the choice to go back to school when my kiddos were really little and graduated with my teaching degree in 2022. Almost immediately afterwards, I got railroaded with a chronic illness and my oldest child developed a medical condition that requires my 24/7 care (at least for now). I was face to face with believing that God had led me to get my degree in teaching but yet allowing circumstances that kept me from using it at all and placing me still in the SAHM role when I’d fully believed I would be going back to work. It’s all been a lesson of trust and reliance on His plan and surrendering my thoughts about my identity to His glory and my good. Thank you for sharing this 🤍
Emily, what a roller coaster of a season. I completely understand why this would feel so confusing and distressing. I would have found myself asking God "why" so many times. I'm saying a prayer for you and your family as I finish writing this. I love what you said about how this kind of season is truly a lesson in trust and reliance and anchoring ourselves in Christ. Thank you for sharing your story!
Dec 11, 2023·edited Dec 11, 2023Liked by Lara d'Entremont
Alan's book was so, so great.
Striving, shame, and self-creation can come in many forms, through many seasons or vocations... but we are truly not our own, and that is something to rest in.
Zechariah 4:10a "For who has despised the day of small things?" Almost all of life is made up of small things, and SAHM see many days of small things. You are more important than the world will ever acknowledge, but God sees and He knows. My children are grown and I was not able to be a SAHM. It will always be a regret, but Proverbs 3:5-6 says " Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." I am trusting that He did, and does, direct my paths. I am praying that He is doing the same for you. May your family's choice to have a SAHM be salt and light in the world around you!
Thank you for this Lara. I was heartily convicted of the worth of that calling when we started our family in the 90s. I wanted nothing more than to be a SAHM. It’s a whole ‘nother game to tell people you stay at home after the kids are all grown and gone! :) When people ask me what I do now, I tell them “whatever I want!” The truth is, I am never bored. I have always asked God to lead me where he wants me, which has meant a few part time jobs over the years, different kinds of ministry, and now writing. There are always people to care for in our circles, and I’m so grateful that I have the time and availability to care. I imagine it is even harder to justify staying at home in this culture that is bent on seeking our own glory and making big money, not to mention a culture that undervalues children. I’m so glad you shared this piece.
Good thoughts. Reminds me of Brother Lawrence being content peeling potatoes in the kitchen (Practice of the Presence of God) and GK Chesterton's quote on learning to be content -- making the most of the situation and not thinking you're stuck there forever. It's important to be content with whatever roles God gives to us. I'm on the other side of raising kiddos, and each moment invested in them is totally worth it.
I love that quote about peeling potatoes. It’s so important to trust God with where he has placed us and exercises wisdom paired with contentment in those roles.
Totally. It changes everything when we fix our minds on I Corinthians 10:31. So whether we eat, drink, wipe snotty noses, scrub yogurt off the walls...we do it all for the glory of God.
I couldn’t have loved this more. I have a little different vantage point, as I made the choice to go back to school when my kiddos were really little and graduated with my teaching degree in 2022. Almost immediately afterwards, I got railroaded with a chronic illness and my oldest child developed a medical condition that requires my 24/7 care (at least for now). I was face to face with believing that God had led me to get my degree in teaching but yet allowing circumstances that kept me from using it at all and placing me still in the SAHM role when I’d fully believed I would be going back to work. It’s all been a lesson of trust and reliance on His plan and surrendering my thoughts about my identity to His glory and my good. Thank you for sharing this 🤍
Emily, what a roller coaster of a season. I completely understand why this would feel so confusing and distressing. I would have found myself asking God "why" so many times. I'm saying a prayer for you and your family as I finish writing this. I love what you said about how this kind of season is truly a lesson in trust and reliance and anchoring ourselves in Christ. Thank you for sharing your story!
Loved this piece, Lara! Thank you for the reminder about where our true identity and worth are found.
Thank you so much, Allana! I’m so grateful for your encouragement! ☺️
Alan's book was so, so great.
Striving, shame, and self-creation can come in many forms, through many seasons or vocations... but we are truly not our own, and that is something to rest in.
It really was a great book. It was one of those books that I think I need to revisit each year. Definitely one of my favourites!
Zechariah 4:10a "For who has despised the day of small things?" Almost all of life is made up of small things, and SAHM see many days of small things. You are more important than the world will ever acknowledge, but God sees and He knows. My children are grown and I was not able to be a SAHM. It will always be a regret, but Proverbs 3:5-6 says " Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." I am trusting that He did, and does, direct my paths. I am praying that He is doing the same for you. May your family's choice to have a SAHM be salt and light in the world around you!
This is just beautiful. I saved it to return to when I need the reminders! <3
Thank you for this Lara. I was heartily convicted of the worth of that calling when we started our family in the 90s. I wanted nothing more than to be a SAHM. It’s a whole ‘nother game to tell people you stay at home after the kids are all grown and gone! :) When people ask me what I do now, I tell them “whatever I want!” The truth is, I am never bored. I have always asked God to lead me where he wants me, which has meant a few part time jobs over the years, different kinds of ministry, and now writing. There are always people to care for in our circles, and I’m so grateful that I have the time and availability to care. I imagine it is even harder to justify staying at home in this culture that is bent on seeking our own glory and making big money, not to mention a culture that undervalues children. I’m so glad you shared this piece.