A Woman's Calling
I've been reading lately, on various blogs and in books, about the role of women in today's world- specifically women who are mothers. There are some who make the case for a college education (which I think is great - I'm looking forward to the day when I can go back to get my Masters degree). Others say the best place for moms is at-home, and then the ones who say not only are we to be at-home to raise our children but we must educate them ourselves as well (i.e. homeschooling). There are also places that encourage women to be the best mom's they can be, but to also keep their own interests alive and seek out opportunities that feed their minds and souls.
One of the books I'm reading is "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge. I was encouraged and challenged by this:
"We need you. We need you to awaken to God more fully and to awaken to the desires of the heart that he placed within you so that you will come alive to him and to the role that is yours to play. Perhaps your are meant to be a concert musician or a teacher. Perhaps you are meant to be a neurologist or a horse trainer. Perhaps you are to be an activist for ecology or the poor or the aged or the ill. You are certainly called to be a woman wherever else he leads you. And that is crucial, dear heart. Whatever your particular calling, you are meant to grace the world with your dance, to follow the lead of Jesus wherever he leads you. He will lead you first into himself: and then, with him, he will lead you into the world that he loves and needs you to love."
I think women who are called specifically to be a "stay-at-home-mom" have a particular joy, passion and beauty that radiates as they fulfill this call and do it wholeheartedly for the Lord. But there is also a place for those who have other callings. Some women have an ache in their soul to be and do something else as well- and that may very well come from God. I'm not talking about the world's version of a career - where making loads of money and living for oneself are the chief goals - or even for complete self-gratification when it's a career that doesn't invlove alot of financial reward. But, some women have a gift and a desire to do something other than motherhood in thier lives. To make anyone feel as though that is somehow wrong, or not in line with scripture, is misleading.
Without quoting extensively from the book, I have made a short list of the women both John & Stasi know and refer to in the book as those who have followed the call God put upon their lives:
A career missionary friend for 32 years, the last 14 spent in Columbia ministering in the country's most notorious prisons.
An Ivy-League graduate from a home with both parents as professionals, a brother with a law degree and a sister who is a physican - who just gave up an amazing career to be a stay-at-home-mom to her newborn son. This was her calling - "there's nothing she'd rather do" - but her family and friends don't understand.
An 18-yr old young woman who loves God and felt called to compete in one of the most grueling athletic events - the Iditarod. She became the youngest person to complete this race.
A women's ministry leader, who served faithfully for decades and then was called by God to leave this ministry and "sit at his feet. Alone. He called her to leave her position on the church staff . . .and to quit leading her Bible study and accountability group. He asked her to become a woman of 'one thing'- to become a Mary, a woman devoted to worship. To minister to the heart of God." In chosing to heed this call she was chastised publicly for "abandoning the Great Comission", and she was accused and misunderstood.
The list of examples is followed by this statement: "You see, our true places as women in God's story are as diverse and unique as wildflowers in a field." Earlier in the chapter there is also a list of women from the Bible who had equally diverse callings, and included there are Rahab, Esther, Lydia, Nympha & Apphia, and Priscilla.
I think I'll be needed to do a "Part II" on this, as I'm running out of time. People have referred to seasons in a woman's life, and how we can celebrate those different seasons for each other, whatever they look like. I would hope that as we look at the season of motherhood, especially of young children, we can encourage each other along the way.
One of the books I'm reading is "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge. I was encouraged and challenged by this:
"We need you. We need you to awaken to God more fully and to awaken to the desires of the heart that he placed within you so that you will come alive to him and to the role that is yours to play. Perhaps your are meant to be a concert musician or a teacher. Perhaps you are meant to be a neurologist or a horse trainer. Perhaps you are to be an activist for ecology or the poor or the aged or the ill. You are certainly called to be a woman wherever else he leads you. And that is crucial, dear heart. Whatever your particular calling, you are meant to grace the world with your dance, to follow the lead of Jesus wherever he leads you. He will lead you first into himself: and then, with him, he will lead you into the world that he loves and needs you to love."
I think women who are called specifically to be a "stay-at-home-mom" have a particular joy, passion and beauty that radiates as they fulfill this call and do it wholeheartedly for the Lord. But there is also a place for those who have other callings. Some women have an ache in their soul to be and do something else as well- and that may very well come from God. I'm not talking about the world's version of a career - where making loads of money and living for oneself are the chief goals - or even for complete self-gratification when it's a career that doesn't invlove alot of financial reward. But, some women have a gift and a desire to do something other than motherhood in thier lives. To make anyone feel as though that is somehow wrong, or not in line with scripture, is misleading.
Without quoting extensively from the book, I have made a short list of the women both John & Stasi know and refer to in the book as those who have followed the call God put upon their lives:
A career missionary friend for 32 years, the last 14 spent in Columbia ministering in the country's most notorious prisons.
An Ivy-League graduate from a home with both parents as professionals, a brother with a law degree and a sister who is a physican - who just gave up an amazing career to be a stay-at-home-mom to her newborn son. This was her calling - "there's nothing she'd rather do" - but her family and friends don't understand.
An 18-yr old young woman who loves God and felt called to compete in one of the most grueling athletic events - the Iditarod. She became the youngest person to complete this race.
A women's ministry leader, who served faithfully for decades and then was called by God to leave this ministry and "sit at his feet. Alone. He called her to leave her position on the church staff . . .and to quit leading her Bible study and accountability group. He asked her to become a woman of 'one thing'- to become a Mary, a woman devoted to worship. To minister to the heart of God." In chosing to heed this call she was chastised publicly for "abandoning the Great Comission", and she was accused and misunderstood.
The list of examples is followed by this statement: "You see, our true places as women in God's story are as diverse and unique as wildflowers in a field." Earlier in the chapter there is also a list of women from the Bible who had equally diverse callings, and included there are Rahab, Esther, Lydia, Nympha & Apphia, and Priscilla.
I think I'll be needed to do a "Part II" on this, as I'm running out of time. People have referred to seasons in a woman's life, and how we can celebrate those different seasons for each other, whatever they look like. I would hope that as we look at the season of motherhood, especially of young children, we can encourage each other along the way.
posted by blueyedtracy at
8:12 AM
2 Comments:
Thanks for the push to go out and buy the book.
Great thoughts.
I considered myself a SAHM, yet I worked 20 hours a week.
Now I feel called to be a SAHGrandma, still working those 20 hours.
At this point in my life, I've realized I would have been much more aware of God's calling in my life if I was listening to Him more than I was to the opinions of other people. That is just SO hard to learn!
By
Judy, at 6:37 PM
What a lovely post, Tracy. You have taken such care and thought with your words.
I try to remember every time Mr. Personality is misbehaving that being a SAHM is my real calling in life. It usually works. :)
By
Gina, at 10:55 PM
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