Listen Now
by Nena Podbury
Scripture provides encouragement as you work and raise a family.
My alarm rings and I get out of bed, grab both kids and head downstairs for breakfast (juice and a cereal bar for myself). After I feed the kids, I turn the TV on, hoping 20 minutes of cartoons will occupy them long enough to give me time to shower and get dressed.
It doesn’t. I have to settle an argument between my 3-year-old son and my 13-month-old daughter, get them dressed and in the car (big sigh!), and off to school. Both kids go to their classrooms, and I even manage to bring the diapers, wipes, and permission slip!
Now off to work. I arrive at my cubicle in time to send out an email with the agenda and PowerPoint presentation for tomorrow’s meeting. And it’s only 9:47 am!
If this sounds like a typical morning to you, then you probably are a working mom too.
And for whatever reason – whether you need the income or you love what you do – raising a family and having a career is not easy. On any given day you may feel frustrated, exhausted, and stressed.
One emotion I feel – and I bet you do too – is GUILT.
Even after months of doing the get-the-kids-off-to-school-then-go-to-work routine, I continually question myself: Am I making the right choice? Will my kids be OK? Am I spending too much time away from them? Will they recognize me when I pick them up?
After several meltdowns and many tears in the ladies’ room, I turn to the Bible. The words of Isaiah 40:11 strike me: “He carries the lambs in his arms while gently leading the mother sheep.” Whoa! This is the comfort I need: to know that He, the great I Am, leads me today and every day. As I consider this verse, other thoughts come to mind:
- He loves me.
- He loves my children.
- He’s helping me.
- He’s guiding our futures.
- He’s GENTLE with me as I work my way through this phase of life.
So whenever you’re feeling guilty about working, remember this: You may never master the art of balancing your career while raising children, but you have a God who fills in the gaps. He will hold your hand and gently lead you through each day.
As for your children, commit them into His hands, open the Bible, and claim these promises:
1 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
2 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John: 10:27-28 (NIV)
3 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.”
Acts 16:31 (NIV)
4 “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)
