Comments on: Titus2Talk: Workers at Home – Part 4

By: Hilary

Hilary — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:40:05 +0000

What do you do if you are forced to work in a job you dont like in order to pay for debt that was accrued by your husband in college? Im talking about a LOT of debt (6 figures). I struggle with wanting and desiring to be home fulltime and being forced to work in a job I hate just to pay very high debt payments. I find it hard to get things done at home because Im just so tired from working. :/ Any advice?

By: Elizabeth B.

Elizabeth B. — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:46:25 +0000

My concern here with this message is that the readers will think it is OK to rely on public assistance to provide for their families instead of going out and getting a job if their husband cannot find work or if his income does not cover all their bills.

We as Christians have to remember that WE (parents) need to financial provide for our children and not let our fellow tax-paying neighbors pay our bills through ways of state medical, WIC, section 8 housing, food stamps, etc.

Too often I see family/friends/church members in my community being stay-at-home-moms, yet rely on welfare services to supplement their husband’s income. Wrong, so wrong!

If women can stay home and their husband can provide without relying causing the family to take advantage of welfare, then sure – go for it! If not, then the mother needs to work too to provide for her children and not expect others (tax-payers) to put food on the table and pay the doctor bills.

By: Rosette

Rosette — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:19:58 +0000

Suzanne,
Thank you! I am glad I am not the only one who feels the most pressure from her own church family! I am struggling to be a stay-at-home mom with 5 kids. I get no support from church, as a matter of fact, I have been encouraged to get a job, and my husband is not even unemployed! Thank you for standing strong!

By: Lori Turner

Lori Turner — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:36:41 +0000

I am late to add to this post, but wanted to say how encouraged I am by this series. Just after the birth of our 2nd child my husband lost his job. We trusted the Lord to show us what was next. It has always been clear to me that no matter what my views on women are, it just makes SENSE on many levels to be home with kids when they’re little. It is expensive to hire a nanny or pay for daycare. So I didn’t feel the need to look for work, but rather pray and brainstorm with my husband and look for opportunities. The Lord made it clear what was next, and we launched a home business. Now, three months into it our “cushion” is gone, and sales are slow. We are in debt, bills are late and there is no more grocery money. This past week I have been squirming on the inside, trying to remain positive and supportive for my husband, but experiencing stress in my body and lashing out at my kids. I realized something wasn’t right in my heart. So I spent time Sunday leaning close to God’s heart, crying, worshiping, reading the Word, sharing honestly with my husband, and finally- reading this post series. All this to say, God is faithful to strengthen our hearts and restore us to the truth. Monday morning, there’s still no more cash than yesterday, but I have PEACE and JOY! That means I can move forward in a productive way, serving my family and praying with my husband in faith. We’ll be fine, because God always comes through! (Now, Lord, help me to learn the lessons you have for me in this circumstance and may I grow deeper roots in your truth!)
Thank, Lindsay, for your efforts in this.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:54:17 +0000

I believe it really comes down to the season of life that you are in. If there are children in the picture, than a mother’s primary focus should be homeward. What is best for my children? I must ask. The Proverbs 31 women definitely appeared to be doing various business ventures, but never at the sacrifice of her husband or children. The chapter begins saying she does her husband good and not evil, she makes sure all the household needs are supplied. You don’t hear any mention of her business endeavor until her household is well taken care of. To neglect her home, and or the service of her husband and children, is definitely not Biblical, as seen in Titus 2:4-5, resulting in dishonoring the word of God.

If you have children, your primary mission field is to train and disciple your children. We can miss out on precious moments of nurturing their souls if we are overly focused on income earning. God has given every women gifts but during this season of child-raising, I believe these skills should be directed homeward. There are other seasons that they can be directed more outside the home. Her gifts will not be hindered in any way…there are plenty of opportunities to put them to good use in keeping her home!

We have been emphasizing here again and again that it is all about evaluating your heart motives. What is your priority in this season of life? Is this pursuit going to hinder or assist my role as a home maker? These questions should be prayerfully evaluated together with your husband.

Overall, I don’t think whether she works outside or inside the home is really the issue, it is evaluating where her heart is oriented. Biblically, we are called to be homeward oriented.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:06:15 +0000

I am in this position right now as my husband was laid off over three months ago and the Lord currently has not provided any other opportunities or interviews with new companies. It is a scary time and we recognize that for the Lord it is not a hard thing for Him to provide for us. We want to, by His grace, demonstrate faith during a time when what we need is not evident to us. However, I have very specific skills that are very employable right now. Without any effort on my part, the Lord provided a part time job that I accepted. Ultimately, we had hoped the Lord would provide through my husband and not me. However, we look at this as His provision for now. My heart attitude needs to remain submissive and encouraging so as not to cause my husband to feel badly about this circumstance. It may even come to the point where I have to add more hours if my husband’s situation does not change. I really do believe it’s a lot about the heart attitude we have as we do these things. Also, praying that God would make clear His purpose as He opens up opportunities or closes doors.

By: Marcy

Marcy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:20:59 +0000

My dh has been unemployed twice due to plant closures in the semiconductor industry. Prayer is vital!! We as help-meets MUST pray & encourage our husbands – it is hard for a man to lose his job & the means by which he provides for his family. The first time he lost his job, I struggled with worry, but God reminded me that HE is our provider! God has been good to always provide “enough” for our family during the good times & the bad.

By: tara @ kidz

tara @ kidz — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:43:53 +0000

This was such a lovely post. Thanks for the reminder!

By: Charissa

Charissa — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:43:45 +0000

I really felt convicted while reading this post. It is very timely for us…and many others I’m sure. While I am extremely thankful that my husband still has a job, he has taken a drastic cut in pay and our insurance costs have doubled. I KNOW that the Lord will sustain us during this time, but I have looked for work despite the fact that we both really wanted me to be at home with our 14 month old daughter. I had to apologize to my husband and humble myself to his authority in our home today. This will definitely be an attitude I’ll have to keep in check. Thank you for the words of wisdom and encouragement!

By: autumn Sager

autumn Sager — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:38:40 +0000

I work out side the home 2′xs a week to help make ends meet. I don’t believe that I am missing out or that it is conflicting with my husbands role in our home. Actually it helps open up other opportunity for Grandma and Adam to spend time with Azlyn while mommy is gone. They get a whole different child. Also it is my opinion, that if even you are working at home, your time has to still be somewhat divided between work and family, chores etc. Even if you work while your little one(s) are sleeping I would think that you are still being taken away from daily chores etc. So whether it is home or away, are you still 100% only involved in daily homaking? And if you are bringing in an income either at home or outside the home, dont you think this would still be financially providing for your family, and therefore stepping into your husbands role?