It has been a year since I quit my job and became a stay at home mom. I have definitely learned many lessons and savored many moments with my daughter that I wouldn't have gotten if I was working.
Now, when I mention to someone that I am a stay at home mom one response I usually get is "good for you." While I do feel it is a privilege, we definitely had to trust God during this past year and it was not exactly the best timing to quit.
Let me explain. Ben and I both were employed by the same organization and there were some changes made a year ago that affected both of us. Now, we knew he was going to lose his income for the time being but I still had mine. Then we had to make a choice, he look for a job and stay bi-vocational as a pastor or he stay home and watch Elizabeth. While he would have loved to do the latter, it made more sense for me to quit and become a stay at home mom. Yes, I know that may not make sense to some of you but it truly was the best choice at the time, even though we were both losing our incomes at the same time.
You would think it would be easy for Ben to find a job around the holiday time because everyone seems to be hiring, but it took a while and more trusting. We went about a month and a half without an income, only by the grace of God is how I can explain it. Both of us are savers so we did have some in our savings account, and were blessed through my Grandma who passed away earlier that year, but it was still a struggle at times.
With all of that said, I was enjoying being a stay at home mom, even with the struggles and difficulties we were facing. I have always dreamed of staying home, and even though the timing was not awesome, I never regret the decision. God is always faithful and as we kept going in our time of life, we felt His presence and never gave up. Now, a year later we are finally feeling financially stable and getting back where we feel comfortable.
Oh yeah, in that year we also moved into an apartment and are still in the beginning stages of planting a church. This past year has had its challenges, laughs, cries, fights, love, and most of all total control given to God, because without that we would not be where we are today.
So as we enter into the Thanksgiving season, be thankful for the little victories, any stage in life, and the people around you. I know some people are not blessed by a family who gets along and wants to be together, but there is always something to be thankful for or an opportunity that you never thought was possible.
Now, when I mention to someone that I am a stay at home mom one response I usually get is "good for you." While I do feel it is a privilege, we definitely had to trust God during this past year and it was not exactly the best timing to quit.
Let me explain. Ben and I both were employed by the same organization and there were some changes made a year ago that affected both of us. Now, we knew he was going to lose his income for the time being but I still had mine. Then we had to make a choice, he look for a job and stay bi-vocational as a pastor or he stay home and watch Elizabeth. While he would have loved to do the latter, it made more sense for me to quit and become a stay at home mom. Yes, I know that may not make sense to some of you but it truly was the best choice at the time, even though we were both losing our incomes at the same time.
With all of that said, I was enjoying being a stay at home mom, even with the struggles and difficulties we were facing. I have always dreamed of staying home, and even though the timing was not awesome, I never regret the decision. God is always faithful and as we kept going in our time of life, we felt His presence and never gave up. Now, a year later we are finally feeling financially stable and getting back where we feel comfortable.Oh yeah, in that year we also moved into an apartment and are still in the beginning stages of planting a church. This past year has had its challenges, laughs, cries, fights, love, and most of all total control given to God, because without that we would not be where we are today.
So as we enter into the Thanksgiving season, be thankful for the little victories, any stage in life, and the people around you. I know some people are not blessed by a family who gets along and wants to be together, but there is always something to be thankful for or an opportunity that you never thought was possible.
So awesome! You are a wonderful mommy Amy :-)
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