I was asked to write an essay about faith today...the day of the 'must be nice' and it took all morning ot go from anger to blessing, but when I finally did I wrote my essay on it, dunno that it will be what they want, but hey they asked a non writer, can't expect much!
Not a luxury but a blessing.
I am frequently told it 'must be nice' to have the luxury of staying home...Today was another day of hearing how 'lucky' I am. Don't get me wrong I do like staying home, but line drying clothes isn't exactly my idea of a pampered life. As the anger rose in me, I composed retorts for the next to tell me of my 'nice luck' I listed sacrifices my husband and I have made over the last 5 years to realize this 'luxury' I ticked off reasons so and so could do it, and figured the budget for them. But then I realized it was pointless, and in fact harmful. And I realized instead of focusing on how hard staying home is, I shoudl focus on the blessing of staying home. It is not really a luxury to me (a nice hot bubble bath on the other hand is!) but staying home is a huge blessing. God has truly blessed our family in many ways. To me the phrase 'there but for the grace of God' applies. I may not be able to pinpoint all that He has done in my life, but I know if it were not for Him I would not be able to stay here with my children every day. (without His grace and forgiveness I am not sure I would want to!)
I am blessed with a husband who understands and shares my desire to stay with the kids.
We are blessed with many reminders of why we choose this path.
We are blessed with new information on how to make pennies squeak as our family grows.
Each time I am told it 'must be nice' I feel insulted that someone thinks I am a spoiled princess...But that is what I am, oh sure I miss out on some fun luxuries (pedicures, daily meat) but in general I am spoiled in what counts. Love, family, and an opportunity to see, and help, my children grow each and every day
God's many blessings for our family are more than enough, my cup does overflow..and it IS nice.
Not a luxury but a blessing.
December 18th, 2006 at 01:17 am
December 18th, 2006 at 02:44 am 1166409879
The key, of course, is in your remark about "why we choose this path." It is a choice, and the only luxury is the luxury of choice. That choice comes with its costs, and the trade-off lies in the different levels of consumption in single vs. dual income households.
Now why does it get under your skin so much that others fail to see it from that perspective?
I think it was St Francis who said that it was better to understand than to be understood.
December 18th, 2006 at 03:27 am 1166412453
December 18th, 2006 at 03:47 pm 1166456831