Poor Laine. She doesn't eat out or take vacations because her husband doesn't make much money and she wants to pay off her home. She may never be able to enjoy sitting on a beautiful beach and looking out on a magnificent ocean with her husband. She decided staying home, raising her babies, showing hospitality to others, lending a helping hand or ear, and making a warm, loving home was more important than going out and getting a job so she could go out to eat and take amazing vacations.
Some women have commented on my posts about Laine and how simply she has to live since she has hardly any money. These women are happy they worked outside of the home so they have money to spoil their children, grandchildren, travel, eat out, etc. I am glad they have that choice if they want but even before I had children, I had decided I would rather live in a little trailer and be able to stay home with my children than work outside the home allowing someone else to raise my children.
Sure, it is very nice to eat out and go on vacations, but I have learned to live without these things the past few years due to my health and I am okay. My favorite thing to do is to prepare nourishing food for my family and have them all over to my home anyways. Yes, we can afford to go out to eat and go on vacations now, but I still love being home.
If you have read the series on Laine, you see that all of her needs are met. She has a roof over her head, clothes on her body, and plenty of food. She has long talks over coffee with her husband in the morning and long baths with candlelight with him in the evening. Her husband and children adore her. Her children are growing up to walk in Truth.
When did we come to the point thinking that having our needs met was not enough, thus we had to leave our homes for hours a day to make more money? Vacations and eating out are more important than being home full-time with our children? For me, they are not but for others, they must be.
We so easily forget our purpose here. It is short, so very short. We are here to make disciples of all the nations and most of you have little people in your home or even teenagers right now that you need to concentrate your energies on in making disciples. This life isn't about our pleasures but seeking God and His ways. He, my dear friends, wants mothers at home.
Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
2 Timothy 3:4
Logging you in...
Cynthia Swenson · 560 weeks ago
Lori Alexander 122p · 560 weeks ago
I only skimmed the comments but was surprised that I did not see any mention of the help that is available to those struggling. My husband and I both went through the Setting Captives Free program. I went through the wife portion called A United Front. It has changed me so much and I am a better christian because of this program. My husband went through The Way of Purity. And for the first time in 30 years he is truly becoming free. The course is free but they do except donations. I fully recommend it to anyone who is either struggling or has a spouse that is struggling.
Maria · 560 weeks ago
Chris · 560 weeks ago
HisHelper · 560 weeks ago
I myself wear pants. I'm sure there are many women even reading this blog that would immediately assume if they saw me on the street that I am immodest and rebelling against God. My husband strongly prefers me to wear pants, not seeing a scriptural directive to wear only dresses, and so I wear pants. I even enjoy wearing pants! -Yes, for a time I did the "I am holier than thou, dear husband" and trashed all my pants thinking I was more spiritually in touch with God's will than my husband. So, in which instance was I in actuality rebellious?!
How many people have I met who have the appearance of "holiness" in dress, but who reek with a contentious spirit! And, aren't we all still a work in progress?! There is a proper time and place for debate on the non-essentials, and there is also a time we must make judgement on the essentials when the sin of a brother or sister in Christ is involved. But, let us be careful to give the benefit of the doubt where possible, and tread carefully when we must confront, knowing that we, too, will face judgement from one One who does see perfectly the intents of the heart, and is the only true and righteous Judge.
I just want to say thanks for putting this in perspective, Chris! I often need that reminder! :-)
Oh, and Lori, I must share another Voddie Baucham sermon pertinent to this issue---I just listened to this one today. The topic is judging. It's called Passing Judgement: Scroll down and you will see the title.):
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/vi...
-HisHelper
Ken · 560 weeks ago
To work or not to work should not be a legalistic issue for wives. There is no black and white on the subject in the scriptures, but their are strong precepts that should have Christians erring on the side of being stay at home Moms, and many are not. Some Christian women are working outside the home and God is not displeased with their choice, especially with those who must work. Many Christian women are working outside the home because they feel they must, or they value things and a higher quality of life over putting in the extra time and energy into their children and husbands. Many husbands like their wives working because it takes some of the financial stress off of their shoulders.
Into a world that is going so wrong when it comes to raising godly Christian children comes Lori's voice calling on all who will listen to think twice about their perceived necessity to work, and count the costs of a wife working. Lori is not begging or pleading for Christian mothers to agree with her, but she is making some rethink whether or not working is a good thing for them and their family, and what does God have to say about it... not simply rely on the world's thinking.
You do not have to agree with her, and she is not taking an extreme position, just a position firmly planted in the Bible and in history. The possibility is that we are all frogs in the kettle as society turns up its heat and God's ways take a back seat to worldly ways and pleasures. Don't think about your own situation but answer the question that is before you? If God's greatest desire is for us to raise godly offspring, can we do as good a job if we do not allow our wives to stay at home? Are some Christian families playing Russian roulette with the eternal souls that God has entrusted to them?
Certainly it is not all Christian children who will walk away from the Lord just because they did not have a constant stay at home influence in their life training them, just as all SAHM's do not end up with godly kids. BUT, there are consequences to everything in life and no free lunch. Each one of us must choose not legalistically, but carefully before the Lord what He would have us do, and then walk faithfully in it. If that means working, then you must trust that God will give you the strengths and resources to provide what your family needs and work at the same time.
I work with thousands of working Mom's and my heart is wrenched watching them try to be a great Mom and work. Few would tell me they can do both well, yet they feel they have to work. In that case part time work may the best for them, and rest upon God's providence. But to rest upon God's grace and providence without fulfilling one's most important roles as wife and mother, that is to gamble, for God does not always overcome the natural consequences of our poor choices, nor does he overrule them.
Is it a poor choice for most Christian wives to be working, at least full time? You decide that for yourself, but when most are working in the most affluent country of the world, it should tell you that somebody has missed the messages God has sent to them loud and clear through His Word and now Lori's blog.
Robin J Cox · 560 weeks ago
I can say with all honesty that not a single child that I cared for over those twenty years PREFERRED to be with me. They ALL wailed, cried, lay on the floor, pouted and moped in the morning when their mommies left. They ALL cried too much during the day - especially the infants. They ALL misbehaved right before their mother or father came home - having a sort of emotional crisis, if you will, at the time of transition from my care to that of their parents.
If I could say one thing to working mothers (who are working by choice, and not force), it would be this: count the cost. Know that your Nanny is NOT going to tell you that your child cried for five out of eight hours, screaming "Mommy! I want Mommy!", because she knows it will break your heart in half. Your children want YOU. Not the Nanny. They want YOU. You are teaching them that anyone can do your job. You are the only Mama God gave them. You're missing their lives. Find a way - any way - to put your career on hold and GO HOME to your children. Please.
Thank you for allowing me to share.
Lori Alexander 122p · 560 weeks ago