Nobody ever said it would be easy...

So, I was inspired to go public with some thoughts I've had because of the sweet gal over at this blog: www.thepurvisfam.blogspot.com

Reading her post about being a SAHM was like reading the thoughts from my very own mind.

Being a stay-at-home mom is the hardest job in the world. It requires so much work, and gets so little appreciation at times. It is very much a self-sacrifice. I know that mom's who work sacrifice alot too. But staying at home often times means alot of lonliness, and no adult interaction. It's so funny that I could love staying at home so much, and at the same time I have days when it gets on my nerves!!

I have my "good times" when all I feel is great appreciation to the Lord and my husband for allowing me to stay home. Then I have those "not so good days" when I am very lonely. And I hate to stay it, but I also have those days when I feel like I just want to go back to work simply to have money to buy shoes. It's true. I tend to look at what other people have. Even though those people have two incomes...two VERY NICE incomes. Don't get me wrong, I get to buy shoes. I mean, what would life be without fabulous shoes right?! But, it's those times when I have to say "no" to myself because the family needs something. When I know without doubt that with that income I used to have, there wouldn't be any "no's."

Those are the days when I am being selfish. I know what really matters. The sacrifices I've made both personally and financhially will always outway what I've given up.

So, here's a little "something" I wrote a few months ago on one of those "bad days." I was feeling down...and I was sick and tired of feeling that way! I sat at the kitchen table with some paper and a pen and began to write what I felt in my heart.. I then put it on my fridge so that I could read it when "one of those days" came about:

When you are feeling lonely and feel as though you have no purpose, remember:
~God's plan for me is totally different than His plan for someone else.
~Quit looking at what others have, do, or "seem" to feel. Their life is not mine.
~I am choosing to raise my kids! The hardest job in the world is this.
~This job earns no pay but reaps rewards greater that I can see.
~I cannot get these young years back. Soon, they will be grown and not require all my love and attention. I will miss these years...

...and by then, it will not have mattered that we had more money, a nicer house or car, or that we payed off debt faster. What will have mattered are the memories that we've made. And the satisfaction of knowing that nobody else raised my children. The satisfaction of no regrets. No amount of money can replace that peace.

Blessings,
A grateful and blessed SAHM

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