On setting out on our first journey into a new country, we were filled with grand expectations of all the things we hoped to see and experience. Little did we know that God was actually leading us on the greatest adventure of all – a journey to glorify him. I found myself meeting woman after woman who had sacrificed career, dreams, family and friends to support their husbands by moving across the world. My belief was that I was one of the ‘lucky’ few, as I had not sacrificed a career. I was restricted to only work or volunteer within visa constraints. So, I arrived as a stay at home wife and was delighted by my new way of life. But as the novelty of living in a foreign country wore off, the questions of “What do you do all day?” grew. I allowed the reality of not being able to work or volunteer outside the home to chip away at my peace. It chipped away at my true identity, as if what I did defined who I was. I started growing blind to the glory of home.
Blind to the Glory of Home
In a world that glorifies busy, I always threw myself in and out of various forms of work – paid or voluntary. I used to believe that a full diary meant I had a full life. I used to watch others pursue their careers, build small businesses or throw themselves into volunteer projects as first prize. Which meant now, being “just” at home, I was left with a feeling of being “less”.
Being a stay-at-home wife, busying myself with projects at home until my husband came home from work left me feeling that I was being left behind. I believed I was walking towards a future fraught with insecurity and dependency. So, I desperately filled my diary with anything I could to keep busy. The constant searching for something meaningful to do seemed more urgent, but the feeling of emptiness grew. I was blind to the glory of home.
Stop Before I Hit a Wall
Something needed to change. I knew I needed my identity to be rooted in the fact that I am a child of God no matter what I do. So instead, I slowly started clearing my diary, saying no, setting boundaries and rather seeking God first. Having an empty diary allowed me the space to see what God had placed right in front of me. My eyes opened and I saw God, my husband, my child and my home. I was blind to the glory of home. But now through the quietening of my days, I was able to see more clearly.
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Romans 12:1-2 calls us to renew our minds. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The world was telling me to move and to hustle. But by allowing the Lord the time to renew my mind I was able to see his will for my life. I grew a greater vision for my home.
A Clear Vision of Assurance and Prospects
I saw clearly that God did not overlook the fact that I was not able to work. Should the doors of opportunity for paid or voluntary work remain shut, then I could rest in the opportunity before me – my home. I am right where I need to be.
My home was an opportunity to serve God.
I was able to stop looking at all that I couldn’t do. Rather, I was able to see the full abundance of all that I could do. Proverbs 17:24 reminds us to keep our eyes glued on wisdom, but a fools eyes wander to the ends of the earth. My eyes wandered. I was blind to the glory of home. God was blessing me with the priceless gift of time, the thing we all crave. Yet instead of unwrapping his beautiful gift with joy and gratitude, I was holding it at arm’s length with uncertainty.
I saw how I now still had opportunities. As Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” My home was an opportunity to serve God.
Blind to the Glory of Home, but Now I Can See Clearly
I was blind to the glory of home, but now I can see with such clarity and certainty that this season of being home is such a precious gift. Being able to serve my family and community in ways I would be unable to if I was able to pursue paid work. Peace and security in my identity marked my new season of life. So, do not waste your home life longing for something that is not available to you now or possibly ever.
In Colossians 3:23 we are told to work willingly and heartily as if working for the Lord not for people. God wants my heart, he wants relationship with me. He wants me to love the family that he has placed in my life and he wants me to love them well.
Do you find yourself trapped in your current season? Could you see your season as an opportunity? Be encouraged to take your season of life to the Lord. For God knows our hearts and he knows the path for our lives better than we do. We just need to lay ourselves at his feet and ask him to show us his way.
