When I was a young mother, one of my sources of support was the magazine, “Above Rubies.” When it arrived, I would devour it cover to cover. It encouraged me so much in my vocation as wife, mother, and homemaker. I still receive that magazine, and I have watched the children in it grow up and have children. I have read many stories of brave mothers who endure all kinds of difficult situations yet stay home with their children. I just received the latest “Above Rubies” Issue (they only publish them when they have the money), and I would like to share what the publisher, Nancy Campbell, wrote. This has been her consistent message over the years.
Dear mothers, can I please encourage you to make the most of every mothering day? Sometimes you wonder when it will end. Can I tell you a fact? It ends all too soon. One blink of your eye, and they are grown up. You’ll wish you had them around longer. Don’t waste the time you have now. Enjoy them. Live life with them. Pour God’s Word and His truth and godly convictions into them. Prepare them to face life because it will happen before you know it.
Never give up. Your life as a mother is more significant than you realize. Don’t cave in to the lies and deception that woos you from your home. God woos you into the home. The devil entices you out of the home because he wants to steal your children’s souls and bodies.
I often hear mothers complaining about motherhood and home….”I’m wasting my life at home.” “I’m bored.” “I love my children, but I don’t love being at home.” “I’m miserable.”
…If you want an exciting, stimulating, fulfilling, productive, loving, peaceful, and fruitful life, you can make it happen in your home. Forget all the negatives. Forget your miserable thought life…
Start thinking of how you can make your home the most exciting place on earth. Think of how you can make your marriage more exciting and fulfilling. There are so many things you can say and do… There are hundreds of things you can do to make this happen. Change gears from the negative to the positive…”
Nancy has no idea how much encouragement she gave me through the years. She was right — it did end quicker than I thought possible. Many voices tried to woo me away from my children to “work for the Lord.” I’m grateful for the grace God gave me to resist and to live life with them. I may have lost them. Who wants to follow the God that caused your mother to leave them over and over to work in the Church?
I really encourage you mothers in the most important job in the world–your family. This message is so contrary to what the world says. If you choose to do some ministry, do something you can do with your children.
Let me be clear here: I do not condemn or judge any mother working outside the home. Every family has its challenges, issues, and reasons. I understand that and support you. I am not casting any stones.
However, I do believe that if and when it is possible for you to stay with your kids, you will not regret it. These years cannot be repeated. And there are so few voices out there giving support and encouragement to women who choose to stay home, that I want to make sure and add mine.
If you would like to see more resources from Nancy Campbell go to www.aboverubies.org
God bless,
Mary Ann / Mother Hen
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