Hi everyone! Welcome to "Michell's Weekly Pearl". If this is your first time visiting, let me tell you a little about this series. This is where you can ask me anything(within reason) on marriage, women's issues, family matters, relationships, parenting, homemaking, or life in general. If you want an honest, biblical based, to the point answer, email me your questions via prowessandpearls@gmail.com (please put "MWP" in the subject area). I'll post your question, along with my answer, anonymously.
"Feeling Guilty" asked....
Hi Michell! I was so excited about
your new phase that I decided to jump right in…(still at work, but on break
yay!) Speaking of work. I absolutely love my job…I’m the boss:0, but
sometimes I feel guilty for having secret desires of being a SAHM. I stayed
home with my 1st child for 2 years and loved it, but hated it because I missed
working. I tried to work part time, but it’s almost impossible when running my
own business. I think I’m doing a good job, but honestly, the pressure to
be excellent in both areas leaves me exhausted!
How did you balance ministry with
raising kids? Is there even a balance?
More questions to come…I wrote a
paragraph and now I have to run ;)
Blessings,
Hi “Feeling Guilty”
You’ve asked a question so many
mother’s battle on a daily basis! Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer! I was
in retail management(about 20 years ago) when our two oldest were 3 ½ and 2 years old. Because of
the crazy hours, I would sometimes go a whole day without seeing them. If I worked
the night shift I would miss them in the morning, because my husband would get
them up early to take them to the babysitter and by the time I got home at
night(sometimes after 11pm), they would be in bed! I got tired of the crazy
routine and sometimes going a whole day without seeing my babies, so my husband and I decided(after looking at the pros and cons of me
staying on my job), that it wasn’t worth it! Unfortunately many moms, single AND
married don’t have this option and my heart goes out to them! God is absolutely
awesome, as He carried us through that season! There were things we were
willing to give up in exchange for our peace. Your case however is a little
different, in that 1)you LOVE your job and 2) it’s your own business. From the
sound of it, your only problem seems to be your guilt for wanting to be home. You
should NEVER feel guilty about wanting to be home with your kids, there’s absolutely
nothing wrong with that…that’s your mothering instinct, lol! :-D If I tell working
mothers anything…it’s to NEVER feel pressured to be perfect. You’re a working/full-time
mother/full-time business owner…you CAN’T be perfect, LOL! But, what you can do
is work your plan to the best of your ability. Sounds like your plan is going
great, btw! You can balance it all. There will have to be some give and take
and coming up with ideas until you get it to work right for you, i.e.(going
home and having lunch with your kids, having someone run it for you on Mondays
or Fridays so you can have a day with your family, etc.). As long as your
babies know they’re loved, they’re being nurtured by you, and your house is in
order(hubby’s in agreement)it’s all good!! Besides, it’s an investment you and
your husband are making for the future of your family. Who knows, one day your
kids may run your business. How awesome would that be!
As far as myself when it came to working full-time ministry and raising our kids, we had to literally think of it as a “family business”...ALL hands on deck! We all sacrificed and made an investment in the Kingdom for our future and God graced us…and here we are! It was hard, but easy at the same time. That’s what I love about His grace(it empowers us to walk out/through ANYTHING)! And He DOES grace us for EVERY SEASON of our lives...but, we must be willing to walk in that season!! There’s a saying that goes like this…"play hard now, work long later…work hard now, play longer later”. With all that being said, the most important thing to do is to pray and seek GOD’S wisdom and guidance for what’s best for you and your family and the vision/plan He has for your lives! Hope this helped! Proverbs 24:3-4(AMP)
As far as myself when it came to working full-time ministry and raising our kids, we had to literally think of it as a “family business”...ALL hands on deck! We all sacrificed and made an investment in the Kingdom for our future and God graced us…and here we are! It was hard, but easy at the same time. That’s what I love about His grace(it empowers us to walk out/through ANYTHING)! And He DOES grace us for EVERY SEASON of our lives...but, we must be willing to walk in that season!! There’s a saying that goes like this…"play hard now, work long later…work hard now, play longer later”. With all that being said, the most important thing to do is to pray and seek GOD’S wisdom and guidance for what’s best for you and your family and the vision/plan He has for your lives! Hope this helped! Proverbs 24:3-4(AMP)
I’ve been married for over 24 years to my husband, a
pastor. I’ve worked alongside him in ministry full-time for over 17 years.
During that time, we've pioneered two ministries and I've established a women’s
ministry(Women of Excellence). We have three adult children and a
son-in-law. My areas of specialty are family, marriage and women’s
issues. Hopefully the (Godly)wisdom I’ve learned through my years of experience
will lead you to and keep you on the road to doing you well! As my
husband always says...why spend your life going down a road you don't have to
travel, when someone else has already learned the lesson and can show you how
to avoid that path.
Disclaimer: I don't
profess to be an expert, but what I have learned...I'm willing to share. With that being said...what I write on my blog is my opinion and advice. It is not my counsel. This also applies to anyone writing on this blog. If someone uses any advice, opinion or recommendation from this blog and is upset, angered, or harmed in any way, I am not
to be held responsible or be held liable in any way. What
I write on this blog is not to be taken as fact or absolute. My
intention is to do no harm. The content in this blog is the
opinion of this blogger and is not intended to disparage or malign anyone or
anything that has the ability to be offended. I am not responsible, nor
will I be held liable, for anything anyone says on this blog in the
blog comments.
All Rights Reserved copyright© 2012-2013 Michell Pulliam “Prowess and
Pearls” Devotionals by Michell Pulliam
Having a blast serving Him !
Xoxoxo
Michell
