“Why don’t you have a job, Mom?” my inquisitive 9-year-old girl asked recently.
She’s been asking all kinds of questions about my life before she can remember. She’s wondered about my college days, about my newspaper reporter job before she was born, and her babyhood. I knew the inquiry about my lack of a job was an information-gathering prompt and not an assessment on how I spent my time.
But the question still gave me pause and prompted me to think about purpose.
Honestly, I’m grateful not to have a normal job. If I went to an office or a newsroom like I used to, I would miss out on some things with my kids and wouldn’t have time to do other things I believe I’m called to do.
I manage three vacation rentals at nearby Kentucky Lake and volunteer with my kids’ school and local crisis pregnancy center. And, of course, I write here. Only some of that brings in part-time income, but all of it is part of my purpose in this season.
Each week, Kate Motaung hosts Five Minute Friday and last week’s prompt was PURPOSE. When I saw the prompt during the weekly Thursday night Twitter party, I had intentions of writing, but I couldn’t focus my thoughts. But then Cate’s question came. And in church a couple of days later someone read Romans 8:28 – one of my all-time favorites.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Purpose.
I may not have a full-time job.
But I have a full-time purpose.
I’m a wife, mom, friend, writer, property manager, volunteer, and adoption advocate. Greg’s business as an attorney has been blessed in ways that free me to not have a normal job. And that’s pretty much what I told Cate when she asked me why I didn’t have a job.
Jobs can be fleeting, but purpose, even while it can change with life’s seasons, is more lasting and intertwined with who God created us to be. I hope my girl recognizes that and strives to put her identity where it matters.
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I know it’s Wednesday, but I’m linking with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday crew anyway.
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And, YOU, my young friend, are doing THE BEST WORK. Colossians 3.23 an Ecclesiastes 9.10 (((xo)))
You’re the best encourager, Susan. Thank you. xo
Wise words, and I learned (the hard way) last summer when I decided to spend the summer working full time while my teacher husband was home that even though my “baby” was 14 and everyone was pretty well taken care of, my heart was still here at home.
Great experiment, but it won’t be repeated this summer.
There are definitely seasons we have to do different things, but I’m always glad when God redirects us to what truly matters. Glad you’re here, Michele!
Oh, how deeply I needed to hear these words today! I’ve thought about this job vs. purpose idea a lot recently. It’s difficult to untangle feelings and perceptions and expectations from those words, isn’t it?
I loved this: “information-gathering prompt and not an assessment on how I spent my time”
How often I consider the question an assessment of me. Sometimes I suppose it is. But I don’t have to let it be.
Thank you for encouraging my heart today!
I’m so glad you could be encouraged, Becky! Oh, yes, there are so many tangled thoughts & expectations, especially for Type A people driven by productivity like me. Enjoy your day and whatever purpose it holds!
“I may not have a full-time job.
But I have a full-time purpose.”
Love it! So true!
Thanks for being here, Kelly!
Purpose…such a weighty word. I have been handling those words gently as of late, looking at them through His Word more deeply. Sometimes we slow down so we can focus on the purpose and other times we speed to catch it, but I love the reminder that we are in the midst of pursuing a purpose-FULL life, no matter what we are filling our days with.
You have me thinking…
Purpose really struck me this week too, and then it kept coming up in my life. I love thinking about how you said “pursuing a purpose-FULL life …” Yes, that’s exactly what I want. Thanks for the encouragement, Dawn!
I didn’t think I had seen you linking up at FMF yet. So fun to see today’s post then. I forgot that you used to be a newspaper reporter. My college degree is communications with an emphasis in Journalism. That Romans verse is one of my faves too.
We’ve had a lot going on lately, so I was glad when the PURPOSE words finally came, even if they were a few days late. 🙂 I’m glad to learn we have even more in common, Tara! Thanks for being here.
Kristin, I love this post! I remember very well the first time I had to write down “Housewife” as my occupation. I felt like what I was doing did not amount to much although it was very much what I wanted to be doing. I am so grateful that God was quick to show me the most important job of all was right in front of me. I have never regretted the decisions I made. And somehow I know…. neither will you as they are each so precious!
I really love this life I’ve got, but the Type A always wants to label things. 🙂 I’m grateful for your sweet encouraged, Joanne. Thanks for being here.
Awesome way to show your daughter the worth and validation we can have without working a “9-5”! Thank you for hosting this linkup.
We have a lot of conversations around here about where our identity should be rooted, but it’s so easy to get distracted by all the good things that may not actually be meant for us. I’m grateful God has shown me some of this so I can pass it along to her, hopefully. Thanks for being here, Liz!
I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend those early (and busy) years living out my purpose of full time mom, etc. – because etc. fills up way more time than one originally thinks. 😉 I wouldn’t trade them for the world and I truly believe those years at home set the foundation for an incredible relationship with the young man we’re raising now. Amen – you have such value and purpose in ALL you do, and I’m so grateful you share a slice of it here with us.
Ah, yes, setting a foundation for what’s next. I love how God doesn’t waste any seasons and uses them all for His good and our good. Thank you so much for your encouragement, sweet friend. I’m always glad to see you here. xoxo
Hi, Kristin. It’s my first time here and I’m hanging onto the phrase “better late than never”… We were neighbours last week at FMF and I only just came now to read your post.
Loved this: “I may not have a full-time job. But I have a full-time purpose.” That’s the perfect response to questions about stay-at-home-moms. I’ve got four kids; two are away at college now and the younger two are in high school. Staying at home was a financial sacrifice for sure, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Thanks for the great reminder!
Shauna (your fashionably late neighbour in FMF#89)
Better late that never is welcomed around here! Glad you stopped by, Shauna!