It comes in different forms of expression, with varied nuances and authoritative tones. Yet despite all the different ways I have heard it – from women at every church I have ever attended, to pastors and preachers, from various books speaking of the Christian life, to the patient I took care of in the hospital five years ago – it has been presented to me time and time again: a woman’s place is in the home.
With each hearing of this timeless expression, a piece of me has been irritated to my very core. Looking shamefaced at my irritation and concluding that it was nothing more than a secret dose of feminism that my subconscious keeps locked away in my heart, I sigh and try to push it out of my mind. My place is in the home taking care of my family, taking care of my family, taking care of my – what?!?! Again my heart is exasperated as I remember (as though it is possible I could forget!) the fact that I am 29 and not married, not engaged and not dating.
After church one afternoon, I began cooking a random recipe. I enjoy such things, yet as I cooked I unintentionally relived a conversation I had recently witnessed.
“So,” she began confidentially, “It’s like none of the things I was passionate for have any meaning to me anymore. I just want to stay home with my little boy and take care of my husband.”
As she spoke I smiled, as this was a beautiful passion to have. It is sometimes hard to accomplish in our current economy, but it’s possible and something wonderful to aspire to as a new mother.
A louder, obnoxious voice cut in, interrupting my inner monologue. Read the rest of this entry »
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Finding Your Purpose: Staying Home
September 25, 2010 at 9:12 pm (Completion, Devotional, Singleness) (christian sub-culture, Christianity, completion, contentment, family, God, Jesus, marriage, relationships, religious commentary, singleness)
It comes in different forms of expression, with varied nuances and authoritative tones. Yet despite all the different ways I have heard it – from women at every church I have ever attended, to pastors and preachers, from various books speaking of the Christian life, to the patient I took care of in the hospital five years ago – it has been presented to me time and time again: a woman’s place is in the home.
With each hearing of this timeless expression, a piece of me has been irritated to my very core. Looking shamefaced at my irritation and concluding that it was nothing more than a secret dose of feminism that my subconscious keeps locked away in my heart, I sigh and try to push it out of my mind. My place is in the home taking care of my family, taking care of my family, taking care of my – what?!?! Again my heart is exasperated as I remember (as though it is possible I could forget!) the fact that I am 29 and not married, not engaged and not dating.
After church one afternoon, I began cooking a random recipe. I enjoy such things, yet as I cooked I unintentionally relived a conversation I had recently witnessed.
“So,” she began confidentially, “It’s like none of the things I was passionate for have any meaning to me anymore. I just want to stay home with my little boy and take care of my husband.”
As she spoke I smiled, as this was a beautiful passion to have. It is sometimes hard to accomplish in our current economy, but it’s possible and something wonderful to aspire to as a new mother.
A louder, obnoxious voice cut in, interrupting my inner monologue. Read the rest of this entry »
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