A Woman's Day

Disclaimer: No offense is intended. Every circumstance in life requires unique measures to meet it's need. The writer, in no way, presumes to know the best course of action for every family situation. Only through careful prayer and consideration should any and all major family decisions be made.

Having said that:

I was talking with a sweet friend of mine tonight. I was reminded of something I read in a book once that all people need a strong relationship with a woman. For a man, this relationship is fulfilled with his mother, until he marries, then the fulfillment comes through his relationship with his wife... as it should be. A man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave unto his wife, right?

Not only does a man need a healthy relationship with a woman, but women, too, need each other. Lucky women find enrichment and contentment in their mother-daughter bond shared with their own mothers. Some women have a best friend. Some are content in the relationships they share with their adult daughters, as well. Some women can name a handful of 'best' friends.

Sometimes, a woman may find difficulty relating to other adult women. She may feel as if she doesn't quite fit in... like she's alone, or doesn't have friends.

Too many of our sisters feel alone in a crowd. Too many feel like misfits. We are all here in search of the same things. We are all searching for fulfillment in purpose. We need to know we are doing the right thing and that what we do matters. We need to feel validated and valued... and we all struggle with insecurities on some level.

Many women struggle to feel true joy, contentment, fulfillment and surety of purpose. Even when a woman is engaged in a great work, she will most likely doubt she is doing a good enough job.

Women worry they have offended someone. They worry they are too fat, too weak, too tall, too short... Women think they aren't smart enough, talented enough, motivated enough to get the job done like it should be. Women get offended because of something someone said or didn't say or do... because we think it is a reflection of ourselves.

Often, women feel their friends or neighbors don't value them or their works. This is very common in women who choose to work for love instead of money. This is something in particular I wish to address briefly, here.

There is a growing awakening to the fact that a woman's mission and purpose in this life is most fully realized when she, herself, nurtures, teaches, loves, and spends the bulk of the waking hours with her young children. Many women are striving to return to their children at home, instead of hiring someone to care for their children. It has been unpopular in society for many years for a mother to remain in the home with her children. The socially accepted act has been to pay a child caregiver to 'give care' to young children so their mothers could work outside the home for money.

I unequivocally state to any who read this article that no amount of money can purchase a suitable substitute for a mother's tender love and care to any child, of any age. Working for money is a lesser choice than work for love of a child. A woman must sacrifice popularity, in some cases; she must sacrifice pride or the esteem of her colleagues; she must sacrifice her position in society to stay. Stay home with the baby. Stay home with the toddler. Stay home. It is a sacrifice. Yes. But what is lost to the child when mother leaves him or her with a nanny or in the daycare center is what is sadly most lost in the trade if mother chooses what has been the socially accepted road.

A child cannot return to his youth to recapture his mother's attention. A woman, however, can return to the workforce or college when her child is grown, if she so chooses.

A child cannot climb into his mother's arms when both he and his mother are old. Only when a child is still young, can a mother embrace his small, clinging body, full pressed to her bosom and love him without the world getting in the way. When he is older and runs off to school, he will worry about what his friends might think if he kisses his mother good-bye... but when he is still so small, he gives kisses freely and gladly.

A little girl who loves to brush her mother's hair will soon begin to worry about how her own hair looks to those around her. But, when she is small, she will sit and brush, and tangle, and smooth her mother's hair without tiring. She plays pat-a-cake and sings the lull a-bye along with her mother... as best she knows how.

Just as a car cannot travel as far on 2.5 gallons of fuel as is does on a full tank, so a child cannot have his tank filled in a couple of hours in the evening. It takes hours, on a daily basis, to keep him full of the love he needs to travel the road that lays ahead.

The work performed within the walls of the home is that which changes the world. Although thankless, at times, and certainly unappreciated by many in society, nothing can substitute for a loving mother.

Do not feel alone. Do not feel devalued. Do not feel like you don't fit in. You are the maker of togetherness. You are the teacher of value. You are the root of belonging. You are the nurturer of mankind.

The day will come when your children will rise up and call you blessed. The day will come when the strength that emanated from your home; from the love given to your children, will be that which saves us all.

Truly, as it has been said: The family is the central unit of society. As the family goes, so goes the rest of the world.

In one day, world leaders may change our tax code or destroy our free markets. In the same day, a mother may wipe a bleeding knee, kiss a fevered forehead, read a spelling list or story book... the same day she prepares a meal for her family to share... the same day she kneels beside her child's bed to hear his prayer...In the life of a mother, it's just another day.

I submit that one well spent day in the life of a mother is a day better spent than in any other sort of life we may know.

So, for you, my sisters; I express my encouragement to you as you continue in your noble work, and I pray you may feel the blessings of our God upon you to guide your hands as you love and care for His children in your homes.

One final thought: regardless of your circumstances, as a woman, you are gifted with qualities of nurture and compassion. Never let discouragement or feelings of inadequacy keep you from using your gifts to bless the lives of others. When you forget yourself in the service of others, you will find what you may not have known you were looking for...