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As a new believer in Christ, I prayed diligently about that. I desperately wanted God to answer that prayer. At the time, I never thought about how my husband would deal with being the only breadwinner for our family of 5. I would soon find out. One day after seeing how my job weighed heavily on one of my children, I decided to quit my job that very day. And I did. I then called my husband and said, “Guess what I just did?”
I believed God had officially called out my ‘calling’ and I answered that day in October 1981. I felt a peace that I could not explain. This began my brand new journey of living out my brand new faith in my brand new calling. After the initial shock and surprise wore off, my husband supported my obedience to God (many years later). God used him greatly in developing my faith. I then began to learn everything I could about homemaking. I was discipled well by women, books, and various resources. God used my enthusiasm to disciple a group of young moms who:
1. saw stay-at-home moms as ‘ministers’ and wanted to sharpen their focus, too
2. who were at a standstill as they waited to gain employment; and
3. moms who were clueless about full-time homemaking being a specific ‘call’ from God and wanted to test the waters.
There were no ‘mommy wars’ going on. No bashing working moms or moms who didn’t feel a ‘call’ from God to see the place that God placed them as a ministry. We welcomed and respected every woman who desired to be a part of the group. We even had women who were not married nor had children yet. They wanted to be poured into before they were faced with ‘on the job training’. It was one of the most fruitful times of my life.
God used my full-time ministry of homemaking to develop me into the woman I am now. My ‘training’ has been invaluable. I was not wasting my education or skill set by being ‘at home’ as some were quick to make me aware of. Nevertheless, I have learned patience, humility, trust, and how to be content in any and all circumstances. God grew this young woman up to accept responsibility. To speak forth blessing over my family.
Being a homemaker is where I discovered and learned of my leadership gift. This is where I first exercised my leadership gift. This was the soil of which I developed my gifts and bloomed where He planted me. I learned to sew, thrift shop, clip coupons, volunteer at my children’s school and come face to face with my ‘messy’ tendencies. I am still working on that, lol. I learned tips and techniques of shopping, decorating, making friends, developing a heart for others, helping women (and their husbands) to value the ministry of full-time homemaking. I led that group for 10 years.
As I pondered my sister’s question, “Would you make the same decision to encourage women to consider full-time homemaking a viable ministry and lifestyle?”, I would unequivocally say, “Yes”. I have lived a fulfilling, very fruitful life. I have done so for 33 years now. To God Be the Glory.
+First Look
Read Titus 2:3-5 from the Bible.
+Through The Looking Glass
Jot down what these verses are conveying.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share in the comments below!
The Looking Glass 
I really needed to read this today! I became a Mom when I was 18 and felt the calling of a homemaker immediately. We have 4 children now and I can tell you the ENTIRE 16 years has been a battle of feeling inadequate and unimportant. You’ve read that facebook post that keeps popping up, “I hear you, raising kids and running a house keeps me busy too. I also have this little gig on the side called a full time job.” That post makes me cringe and sad for all the stay at home Moms who are fighting these feelings. It’s like a slap in the face to women who are trying so hard to be obedient to their calling. I’m not against working Moms or what they do, but do what you’re called to do and support each other, not tear each other down. I’ve been having such a hard time lately with feeling passionate in my calling and my family are feeling the affects of it. If you listen to these voices, you can become really depressed and ineffective in the kingdom. Thank you for sharing this, it really helps to encourage me in my passion for my family which I know in my heart is the start to change out there in the world. There needs to be more people like you encouraging Mothers in their calling. Bless you
Thank you dear Mindy. So blessed that God would use me to encourage your homemaking heart. I pray that you would rediscover your passion and calling for your ministry. I pray that you would find joy in that rediscovery. Homemaking is a marvelous calling, a noble profession and a world changer. Reclaim it. ❤️💜💙💛
Wonderful post…and, like you, all I ever wanted to be was a wife, mother and homemaker from the time I was a teen. God blessed the desires of my heart with a husband and three sons. Like the other poster, I too, wish women would support each other in whatever God has called them to do…whether working outside the home for pay or being a stay-at-home mom. There’s an old saying, “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” and I believe more women need to understand how impactful and important motherhood can be. Bless you for all that you have done to help raise up Godly women who are called to be homemakers…love you so much…xoxo
Thanks Gail. Sissy loves you too.
I feel incredibly blessed that I got to spend my time at home with my son from the time he was a newborn. I also feel that it’s an answer to prayer that, now that he’s in school, I’ve found a solid income stream through substitute teaching. My schedule is as flexible as I need it to be for my family, and when there’s a snow day, like today, well, I’m off too so no worries about child care! And I feel I’m filling a vital role within the schools – they NEED substitutes.
I also felt very blessed to have a husband who supported my desire to be at home during those early years, and was willing to shoulder the burden of being the breadwinner. And he has always treated our money as ours – doesn’t matter who earned it. Not every wife is as fortunate.
I too wish that women who choose to stay at home, women who choose to work or have to work, would just support each other in their choices, without feeling like they have to defend their own by tearing the other camp down.
Great post Kathy, as always. Love you!
Amen, Brenda!
Love, love, LOVE this post! I was blessed to spend 10 years at home with my children before taking a church staff position in 2006. Being home with them was one of the greatest sacrifices that my I’ve made not only as a mom but also as a woman. For our family, there was a season for me being at home and now there’s a season for me to do ministry full-time. I agree wholeheartedly with Brenda’s closing thought. Thank you for writing!
Blessings to you, Kathie!
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Awesome post! I’m glad I found your blog!! -Aisha
Thank you so much! Welcome to THE LOOKING GLASS BY KATHY!