I had an interesting conversation with my 8 year-old last night that I’d like to share in light of our current social climate.
My son was asking me questions about the Bible, he’s my more analytical child so he was literally asking about the number of books contained within one book. I mentioned something during our conversation along the lines of “my job” in reference to parenting and he got hung up there. He asked me to elaborate since he thought I had a different job, what I do during the daytime. What I told my 8 year-old last night is what I sincerely believe in my heart and what (to a certain degree) is now frowned upon in certain circles.
I explained that what I do for a living does not define me. It’s just what I need to do to better help out financially. That my real jobs are, what the most important roles I have are that of a wife and a mother. I explained to my little guy that being a wife and a mom that seeks to honor and glorify God in everything I do, is how I can best put on display the beauty of my Creator. When I fulfill the part HE cast me in, that’s the only time that anything in my life is truly significant.
Why did I want to share this? Well, unfortunately, we as a society only want to elevate professions. Sure, it’s a huge accomplishment to study and earn a degree and work in an area you love and deem important. That’s fantastic. I, personally, love what I do and where I get to work. I count my day job as a blessing. Yet, the importance and value and meaning I find in life is not contained in my profession. My most difficult job is that of a parent and my most enjoyable job is that of a wife… and on occasions they flip/flop.
I do have a difficult time with humans who God has seen fit to bless as parents and they forego that job in search and fulfillment of their more selfish professional ambitions. Sorry, not sorry… but if you value your job more than being a parent… you need some serious self-evaluation.
What are you putting value in: Your status, your finances, your accomplishments, your professional popularity or reputation? Well then, why did you seek out to have a family? Honestly?
Look, don’t get me wrong people, there’s a healthy balance that CAN be found. You don’t have to do one or the other but I believe that to strike that balance we, in our hearts, must recognize and prioritize things, and again, I can’t be sorry for feeling that people always come before stuff. And yes… I just called a profession “stuff”.
In a society that can value “stuff” over family I challenge ourselves to do a gut check. If you are a parent, or a spouse… then, what do you really value? AND… how would you define yourself, by the profession that pays you? Or, by that noble pursuit that doesn’t pay you but that can sometimes drain and exhaust you? Just saying, if you chose to have a family… then choose to be part of it, please?
My 2 cents from the cheap seats.