[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

by<\/em> Nena Podbury<\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Scripture provides encouragement as you work and raise a family.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t. 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!<\/p>\n

Now off to work. I arrive at my cubicle in time to send out an email with the agenda and PowerPoint presentation for tomorrow\u2019s meeting. And it\u2019s only 9:47 am!<\/p>\n

If this sounds like a typical morning to you, then you probably are a working mom too.<\/p>\n

And for whatever reason \u2013 whether you need the income or you love what you do \u2013 raising a family and having a career is not easy. On any given day you may feel frustrated, exhausted, and stressed.<\/p>\n

One emotion I feel \u2013 and I bet you do too \u2013 is GUILT.<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

After several meltdowns and many tears in the ladies\u2019 room, I turn to the Bible. The words of Isaiah 40:11 strike me: \u201cHe carries the lambs in his arms while gently leading the mother sheep.\u201d <\/em>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:<\/p>\n

\n
• He loves me.<\/li>\n
• He loves my children.<\/li>\n
• He\u2019s helping me.<\/li>\n
• He\u2019s guiding our futures.<\/li>\n
• He\u2019s GENTLE with me as I work my way through this phase of life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  So whenever you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

  As for your children, commit them into His hands, open the Bible, and claim these promises:<\/p>\n

  1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFor I know the plans I have for you,\u201d declares the Lord, \u201cplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)<\/p>\n

  2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy 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.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

  John: 10:27-28 (NIV)<\/p>\n

  3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBelieve in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved \u2013 you and your household.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

  Acts 16:31 (NIV)<\/p>\n

  4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

  Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] by Nena Podbury [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4309,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[405,42,456],"tags":[133,131,175,47,132,176,134,130],"class_list":["post-2049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","category-inspiration","category-relationships-and-family","tag-balance","tag-child-care","tag-guilt","tag-help","tag-kids","tag-managing-emotions","tag-scripture","tag-working-mom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n