More Than a Housewife

Proverbs 31: 10-11 -A wife of nobel character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

I have been a WORK at home mom for a little over three years now.  I say work at home because my husband and I co own a business and I am a freelance writer as well as a blogger but most of all I MANAGE my household daily.  I am often asked by other women why I chose to remain at home rather than work for someone.  I am educated, qualified, and capable of having a successful “career” in a field of my choosing, however  my answer to them is always the same I LOVE what I do, and I do it well!

I find it interesting how little people value those of us who chose our families over a career outside of the home.  I have been insulted on so many occasions with the  slander of other women as it relates to my daily activities.  They assume I am “sitting around eating bon bons all day, having lunch with friends, and going to the spa,” and if I am not engaged in those types of activities then I must be cooking, ironing, or doing some other boring or mundane task that does not require thought or precision. One woman even suggested that my decision was “foolish” considering women fought and gave their lives so that we don’t have to be stay at home moms.  My response….on the contrary, women fought so that we could have choices….the freedom to DECIDE what it is we wanted to do in life.

While most commentary is not of any bother to me, ( I have made my choice and am proud of it), I did want to take a moment to reflect on one of the most noble and illustrious definitions of a housewife past and present.  The Proverbs 31 woman is a compilation or portrait of a godly woman whose foremost concerns are the affairs of her household.  She is strong, dignified, and highly respected and her husbands successes are her greatest accomplishments.  She is the epitome of balance and grace and defies typical “housewife” characteristics but rather exemplifies a life that is stable and equitable.

She has no time for gossip, or television, she is a manager of multiplicity with real estate, employees, and investments.  Furthermore, her business acumen is so keen she has been given the complete trust of her husband and partners with him in the building of their future collectively.  Her life is not simple, yet the complexities of it all do not overwhelm her, as she looks to God for guidance and strength.  This my friends is the modern day housewife,  smart, compassionate, considerate, giving and respected…she is a woman after God’s own heart.

I can now appreciate the Proverbs 31 woman in ways I never could before, she is not a woman of passivity or weakness who lacks value.  She is strong and sensible amending her life to cater to the affairs of her family and others.  Not overtly weakened by femininity or unashamedly hardened and overtly ambitious.

She is ideal and while no one is perfect I am grateful for the opportunity to walk in her shoes.  The next time I am asked what it is I do for a living, I will say that I am a Proverbs 31 woman, my employer is God and my family, oh and  my job description can be found in the B-I-B-L-E.

Make it a great DAY!