...my aspirations to finish school and pursue my dream of writing, editing, or teaching school in order to stay home and raise my five children. I used to feel kinda bad about my decision to put schooling aside for awhile after I earned my Associates degree. At the time I was working in the administrative offices of a school district and I received no small amount of scorn from the other women for my choice.
"You can work and be a mom," I was told over and over by my supervisers. "Women do it all the time."
But I knew that wasn't the route for me. It wasn't because I wasn't smart enough or talented enough or capable enough to pursue my ambitions. It was because I chose to be a mother.
Back then I didn't have the wisdom or the maturity to communicate to those women I worked with the importance of the choice I was making to put off some of my goals for awile in order to focus on the one thing that mattered to me the most. I imagine they are still shaking their heads to think of the possibilities I passed up to pursue my most important, ennobling work yet. But Sheri Dew says it best with these words:
"Through her mothering, a woman is the consummate leader of leaders. If we truly believe that we are here in mortality to be tested and to demonstrate by the way we live our lives whether we want to be part of the kingdom of God or not, then what could possibly be more significant than bearing a child and thus making it possible for a spirit son or daughter to advance beyond the preparatory state or premortal life and enter the testing stage of earth life? And having borne that child, what could possibly be more enduring or important in the eyes of our Heavenly Father than nurturing one of His sons or daughters--teaching and cheering that precious soul on, preparing him or her to pass the test?
"Nothing. No diplomat or CEO or billionaire philanthropist does anything that comes anywhere close in importance to what a mother does. No trophy or statys or honor of man begins to compare with motherhood in terms of its eternal impact and glory. Period."
And that, folks, makes putting some things off for a while totally worth it!
10 comments:
I agree that staying home with our kids is our most important job!
They are so lucky to have you!
I love love love Sheri Dew, she's so amazing!! You do such a great job as a mommy, don't ever forget that! Someday you'll publish, edit or continue to teach something fantastic and amazing...so hand over that autograph real soon sister!!lol
Staying home with the children is hugely important! Enjoy! Stopped by to say Happy SITS day!
She says it so beautifully!
I too received scorn at my decision - but I haven't regreetted it...not once.
Your children will grow up knowing that you love them enough to sacrifice some of your own ambitions for their well being.
Nothing could be more motherly.
Xazmin
I agree being a Mom is the most amazing job in the world. I love the joys and trials it brings daily! Sheri Dew is awesome, I was in the Temple with her once. Very cool!
Glad I happened upon your blog, this post is just what I needed!
Have a great night!
Tanielle
You'll never regret being at home each day with the kids. They grow so fast!!
I've been browsing around your blog. We have a few things in commen. Very fun.
Have a good day.
Sandra
Hi there.
Stopping by via SITS to wish you a great weekend!
From one mom-writer to another, I hope you reach your goals! Stopping by from SITS!
Jeff has a professor who told him that there are many of her colleges that are not married or have children because they thought that it was more important to finish their education but now they are alone and depressed....she is happy that she chose to have a family as well as a career.....i agree being a mother is the most important thing we can do....
Amen to this post too. I have come to strongly believe that this journey of mothering is an amazing training ground for the other aspirations/purposes in life as well. No doubt the depth of your writing has and will be forever deepened from the emotions and experiences of motherhood.
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