There is an overwhelming voice in the church today that says that women are better off for staying at home with their children. This is very encouraging to women who do feel called to stay at home with their children – but, it is also incredibly hurtful and isolating to women who feel called to work outside the home.

I think these articles are intended to be uplifting to women who feel that working at home is not enough, and to encourage women who feel drawn to staying at home but are struggling with that decision. This is wonderful, because there are many women in that situation.

However, these articles are also discouraging to women who are in the opposite situation: they feel called to work, rather than stay at home, and they are either struggling with that decision or feel confident in what God has called them to.

I want to be a voice for women in the second camp. Hopefully this will come across as encouraging to women in both camps, because the last thing we need is another article that is divisive! So, a few words…

Women who desire to work outside the home –

Do it! God has given you gifts, talents, and desires that He will multiply as you work outside the home. You will meet people who you would have never met otherwise, and you will be able to show them the love of Jesus in a way they would have never experienced otherwise. Your gifts and talents will be used for the Kingdom of God.

Whether you have children or not, be encouraged that Jesus is your Lord – your boss. He is also your friend, and the author of your life. He loves you and wants the best for you. Your identity is found foremost in Him, and not in how you serve Him.

And the same goes for women who desire to stay at home with their children and build into them hour after hour –

Do it! God has given you gifts, talents, and desires that He will multiply as you work inside the home. You will meet people who you would have never met otherwise, and you will be able to show them the love of Jesus in a way they would have never experienced otherwise. Your gifts and talents will be used for the Kingdom of God.

Whether you work or not, be encouraged that Jesus is your Lord – your boss. He is also your friend, and the author of your life. He loves you and wants the best for you. Your identity is found foremost in Him, and not in how you serve Him.

Women – no matter what you choose, you are called to serve Jesus first and foremost. You are also called to BE His first and foremost. You are not the world’s. You are not your husband’s. You are not your children’s. You are not your career’s. You are God’s.

I encourage you to pray and seek counsel about whether you should stay home with children or work outside the home. But every time He affirms your decision, be confident in your calling. It is exactly where He has placed YOU for today.