I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out of my car at the baby-sitter's house and a little boy comes running out the door. The little boys begins to yell - "Renee's Mommy is here!" I remember stopping in my tracks and thinking - "Oh, that is who I am now - Renee's Mommy." My whole identity is now Renee's Mommy - or is it?
As a Christian Working Mom I have multiple roles, I am Renee's Mommy and Zachary's Mommy as well. I am John's wife, Betty and Eldred's daughter, Karen's sister, church worker, school helper, a therapist, professional coach, and a child of God. Do you often wonder who you are? Where do you fit in with all your roles?
Women have had many roles since time began. The Proverbs 31 woman is a: wife, mother, businesswoman, charity worker, and many other roles. You will recognize in here some of the stresses we modern women face. Proverbs 31:15, 18 states she gets up while it is still dark and her lamp does not go out at night. Does that sound familiar? We are often burning the candle at both ends.
Although are many roles can be stressful there can be great joy in all our many identities. I love being Renee and Zachary's Mom. There is great joy in watching them grow and learn about God and His world. I also thoroughly enjoy my work as a professional coach and therapist. Work provides me great satisfaction. Christian Working Moms often receive a lot of support and encouragement from co-workers. As Christian wives we give and receive companionship, support, and passion (when we pencil it in) with our husbands. Our work at church and school also gives care and comfort for others. We often receive the greater blessing when we work at church or at our children's school.
As a fellow Christian Working Mom I celebrate and applaud all our different roles. Variety in our roles often allows us to manage turmoil in any one area of our lives. The other parts of our lives seem to compensate for the difficult times and help us to maintain balance. I encourage you to rejoice in all God has given you and your many different roles.
Oh, by the way if we meet virtually or in person I'll answer to Kimberly, Renee's Mommy, Zachary's Mommy ..........
? 2004 Kimberly Chastain
About the Author
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in helping Christian women make the most of their lives. She is the author of the on-line course, "I Can't Say No" and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms, a free e-book. If you suffer from "I Can't Say 'No" Syndrome, visit Kimberly's site today for the details on an exciting email course that's sure to set you free! http://www.christianworkingmom.com/online.htm.
The Text Information Box above MUST be included for reprint privileges. You may reprint this article in it's entirety with the attached text box.
His name sounds as Finn. He has beautiful blue eyes... Read More
An analysis of Western man's guiding presuppositions, A Review of... Read More
If you spend a hundred bucks and buy the right... Read More
Most of us are familiar with the inner criticism and... Read More
'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom... Read More
When the body of Christ isn't protected we become vulnerable... Read More
Burn out, it can happen to anyone. Some of the... Read More
Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left... Read More
God said, "Thou shalt not?" and we continue to tell... Read More
In a recent case study which I also summarized in... Read More
Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or... Read More
It is tough being here on this plane. You have... Read More
We, the human species, stand on the threshold of a... Read More
After more than three decades of church ministry, I have... Read More
But my God shall supply all your need according to... Read More
I often ask myself this question. Not in the times... Read More
We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but... Read More
"I learned I was not, as most Africans believed, the... Read More
Every month I usually sit down and write an article... Read More
Are you facing some challenges in your life right now?... Read More
You have everything you need: a miraculous body, a phenomenal... Read More
Presently, many of us live in uncertainty. Due to the... Read More
As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
"Self-Actualization" is the process of making our self "actual." Our... Read More
reliable maid service Highland Park ..On reading Susan Cato's Time Magazine Canada piece titled, "In... Read More
"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as... Read More
We, the human species, stand on the threshold of a... Read More
I am deeply drawn to the above Irish Blessing.This blessing... Read More
We've all heard the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as... Read More
There is nothing more valuable to a sentient being then... Read More
What type of person grabs your attention and motivates you?... Read More
We as human beings travelled in small bands for hundreds... Read More
One of the saddest times in any child's life is... Read More
Enlightenment can come in an instant or it may take... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
I cringed lower into the seat of my grey metal... Read More
Several months ago, I read an... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Some Evidence of How We... Read More
Over the past years, I have undergone a life-altering transition... Read More
Do you ever wonder about the other "YOU ?"The one... Read More
In the responsibility we have as Christians, we are displayed... Read More
Rabbi Kushner in his book "When Bad Things Happen to... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
Are you always looking for bargains, especially something that you... Read More
One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More
Last week I talked about the need to practice emotional... Read More
Have you ever thought about how your orientation to time... Read More
The teacher of the future.... will be a master of... Read More
There is an prayer process in every religion and everyone... Read More
Spirituality |