Working Mom

I opened the mailbox two weeks ago to find an envelope from The Social Security Administration. The contents of my work history contributions were spelled out as a reminder of the years of participating in the "workforce". I could easily see gaps in my employment. So I set about listing all the endeavors I had taken up since the magical age of sixteen.

Pregnancies and child rearing accounted for so much of the time vacancies. And a gnawing sense of feeling reduced to my income potential as a societal contributor left me a bit testy. All along the way I had made choices to prioritize my families needs as a filter for each position I had filled. Numbers have no sense of the true value I have represented in the lives of my children and extended family over the past 30 years.

I have tag team parented with my husbands schedule, taking on part time positions to supplement our budget at times of transition. Often working around his time frame in obscure jobs. I have done at home child care, cleaned houses, flipped burgers, waited tables, entered data, privately catered, driven a bus, sold candy, telemarketed,made subs, sliced Deli meat, flipped pizzas,worked in sales,and run an office, All while raising my family!

What this government assessment of me will never show is the many hours spent volunteering in the local school district, visiting and driving dependent neighbors, preparing meals for those in need, hours spent with teens in crisis, and in general being at home and flexible to answer the immediate needs of urgency!

I have been the Mom whose home was open after school to the neighborhood when other moms needed to be at work. I have been the friend to call when noone else was around. I have been the household that expanded to accomodate the homeless and the transient.

To effectively assume this kind of work, I have always believed in one core value. "Do all things as unto the Lord". Scrubbing toilets isn't glamorous, but provides for a healthy environment.( I esteem those called to the workforce to provide this service. I esteem those who do what must be done no matter how distasteful the task!) Someone is positioned to assume the work of service, all jobs serve Gods good reputation when carried out in this mindset even things we often take for granted everyday!

I know that the relevance of running a household is a formidible job to moms rearing small children, whether outside the home or within. We never quite feel we can meet all the demands. We desire to do well, but sometimes must settle for O.K. It is a 24/7 position. We are to become experts in education,socialization,health, nutrition,economics, travel agents, protocol experts, activists, advocates,psychologists, coaches, and spiritual advisors. ( After so many years at this stuff I believe I have developed the skill of mindreading as well. )

What I am really saying to all women is simply this, when doesn't a mom work! And how can anyone put a price on the multitude of jobs we perform! I have concluded that even the government is at a loss to fill in a number next to those years spent industriously prioritizing my family and neighbors. But God certainly has seen and approved of the sacrifices needed to get the job done!

It is by His Spirit of Wisdom we enter the sacred call to be wife and mother, it is a Holy Sacrement-Marriage. It is blessed and sealed to fullfill the very promises of our Lord and Savior Jesus, that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us(Phillipians 4:13) and so The government does not recognize the hidden treasures that are stored up for me in my retirement, because my place of rest is not found in this world or it's economy, but in Christ and His Kingdom , a world without end!