Post by TaQuilla on Jun 6, 2007 10:24:25 GMT -5
How to Get Back Home
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Helps and Hints for Women Who are "Halfway Home" (Part I)
By Mrs. Wanda Jefferson
May 15, 2004 - 12:21:00 PM
Sitting in traffic driving home from work after a long day, I often hear the strains of Simon and Garfunkel’s "Homeward Bound" float through my mind. I’m certainly not a musician, nor am I a "poet and a one-woman band," but nothing equals my feeling of joy as I near home. That joy, however, quickly turns into a mad scramble as I struggle to prepare dinner, clean the house, and create a pleasing environment for my husband to come home to. Like many women, I long to “come home" to a life which, while still just as busy, will hopefully allow me focus on the care of those most important to me--my family.
So far, I am still only "halfway home." My heart is at home, while the rest of me trudges back and forth to work every day. Despite this, my husband and I are working steadily towards our goal: having me home full-time.
Why come home?
Why would I want to come home full time? Why do most women? For one thing, I’m tired. Mentally, I’m tired of trying to accomplish two full-time jobs (working and running a home) and doing neither as well as I should. It is often said that a person cannot serve two masters, but the demands of an office (and the people who depend upon me there) and the needs of my family often conflict. My heart knows which one I should choose.
Physically, I’m tired of the demands of long days and nights with too little sleep. Women, while strong creatures, are designed by God to be the weaker vessel--something I truly feel towards the end of the week. I do not think my body was designed to do what I am doing! Spiritually, I am tired of the battle for my time and the feelings of guilt that I am not serving my family as I could.
My greatest desire to "come home" is out of concern for the future. As one of my husband’s and my heartfelt wishes is to create a warm, God-centered home for our future children, I want to be at home for those vital years. I was lucky enough to grow up in such a home: my mother and grandmothers all stand out in my mind as excellent Titus 2 mentors, even if they didn’t know it at the time! My own home is filled with treasures passed down to me from these wonderful women--beautifully knitted Christmas stockings, well-loved cookbooks with handwritten comments, and an heirloom serving spoon from my grandmother’s grandmother. Reflecting on the blessings of time, attention, and love that the women in my family have given me, how can I give any less of myself to my own children?
Finally, I increasingly feel a Biblical and cultural mandate to come home. The Bible instructs us to be "keepers at home," while modern American society tells us through its negative example that women are needed more than ever in the home as mothers, wives, and "creators of the home." Shouldn’t I try and answer this mandate to the fullest extent possible?
I am blessed with a job that I enjoy, where my skills are appreciated and respected. It allows me to come home at a reasonable time each day and pays fairly well. Despite this, I know that I don’t belong here much longer. This season of "outside work" in my life is coming to a close, and a new season of service inside the home is starting. I know where I should be--home.
This is part one of a five-part series on coming home that Mrs. Jefferson will be sharing with LAF readers.
Part 2 is here: www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/How_to_Get_Back_Home_24/Helps_and_Hints_for_Returning_Home_Part_II_10421001042.shtml
Remaining parts are here: www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/How_to_Get_Back_Home_24/index.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Helps and Hints for Women Who are "Halfway Home" (Part I)
By Mrs. Wanda Jefferson
May 15, 2004 - 12:21:00 PM
Sitting in traffic driving home from work after a long day, I often hear the strains of Simon and Garfunkel’s "Homeward Bound" float through my mind. I’m certainly not a musician, nor am I a "poet and a one-woman band," but nothing equals my feeling of joy as I near home. That joy, however, quickly turns into a mad scramble as I struggle to prepare dinner, clean the house, and create a pleasing environment for my husband to come home to. Like many women, I long to “come home" to a life which, while still just as busy, will hopefully allow me focus on the care of those most important to me--my family.
So far, I am still only "halfway home." My heart is at home, while the rest of me trudges back and forth to work every day. Despite this, my husband and I are working steadily towards our goal: having me home full-time.
Why come home?
Why would I want to come home full time? Why do most women? For one thing, I’m tired. Mentally, I’m tired of trying to accomplish two full-time jobs (working and running a home) and doing neither as well as I should. It is often said that a person cannot serve two masters, but the demands of an office (and the people who depend upon me there) and the needs of my family often conflict. My heart knows which one I should choose.
Physically, I’m tired of the demands of long days and nights with too little sleep. Women, while strong creatures, are designed by God to be the weaker vessel--something I truly feel towards the end of the week. I do not think my body was designed to do what I am doing! Spiritually, I am tired of the battle for my time and the feelings of guilt that I am not serving my family as I could.
My greatest desire to "come home" is out of concern for the future. As one of my husband’s and my heartfelt wishes is to create a warm, God-centered home for our future children, I want to be at home for those vital years. I was lucky enough to grow up in such a home: my mother and grandmothers all stand out in my mind as excellent Titus 2 mentors, even if they didn’t know it at the time! My own home is filled with treasures passed down to me from these wonderful women--beautifully knitted Christmas stockings, well-loved cookbooks with handwritten comments, and an heirloom serving spoon from my grandmother’s grandmother. Reflecting on the blessings of time, attention, and love that the women in my family have given me, how can I give any less of myself to my own children?
Finally, I increasingly feel a Biblical and cultural mandate to come home. The Bible instructs us to be "keepers at home," while modern American society tells us through its negative example that women are needed more than ever in the home as mothers, wives, and "creators of the home." Shouldn’t I try and answer this mandate to the fullest extent possible?
I am blessed with a job that I enjoy, where my skills are appreciated and respected. It allows me to come home at a reasonable time each day and pays fairly well. Despite this, I know that I don’t belong here much longer. This season of "outside work" in my life is coming to a close, and a new season of service inside the home is starting. I know where I should be--home.
This is part one of a five-part series on coming home that Mrs. Jefferson will be sharing with LAF readers.
Part 2 is here: www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/How_to_Get_Back_Home_24/Helps_and_Hints_for_Returning_Home_Part_II_10421001042.shtml
Remaining parts are here: www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/How_to_Get_Back_Home_24/index.shtml