Marriage is all about...

Marriage is all about....

Well, I'll get to that is a second. I started thinking about this when I heard James Dobson talk about women working on his Focus on the Family radio program (a program that I usually enjoy and appreciate the thoughtful topics introduced). He questioned how women who work can effectively be wives and mothers, and he notes that men and women have Biblically mandated roles. For women with children, he noted that our focus should be on mothering and not working outside the home. While, I do not want to stir controversy, I couldnt help but feel isolated and "put down" in a sense as a woman who really LOVES to work and as someone who is invigorated by my work.

I love the Lord, I love my husband, I love my work, and I love the thought of being a mother one day - a mother who works outside the home.

A year or two ago, my pastor did a sermon entitled, "Where is a Woman's Place?!" This had the whole congregation stirring and people anxiously awaiting to hear what he was going to say. As someone who studies gender roles in marriage, I was particularly interested in what he was going to say. He said it a million times better than I am about to explain it, but in essence...women are hard workers - inside and outside the home (Pro. 31:13-18)! A noble woman and wife is prepared (Pro. 31:21); she is a business-woman (Pro. 31:24); she is a life long learner - wise and gives good advice (Pro. 31:26); and she is a great mom (Pro. 31:28)!! Most importantly for me, her husband has confidence in her abilities and values her (Pro. 31:11).

Does that mean all women HAVE to work outside the home? Of course not, but for me I believe I have lots of energy and passion to invest in my family and my work. Should I put my work above my family? Again, of course not. I have lots of "hats" that I wear - wife, sister, daughter, therapist, student, researcher, etc., but I know that I have one goal that encompasses all of these roles, and that goal is to please God (2 Cor. 5:9) inside and outside the home : )

So....I believe that marriage is all about BALANCE!!!

What do you think?

Mal