Beatitudes for SAHMs-3

Beatitudes for 'Stay at Home Moms' (part 3)

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Meek, it conjures up visions of a quiet, unassuming person - someone we might not even notice in a crowd. The Amplified Bible defines meek as the mild, patient and long-suffering. The Message puts it another way - "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less." The Shepherd's Guide Commentary says, "The meek person has a 'gentle strength' ". I think all of these definitions fit SAHMs to a tee.

SAHMs struggle long and hard to reach a point of "meekness." It takes practice to become content with 'just who you are - no more, no less.' And that doesn't mean we never look at our neighbors and wonder why they aren't struggling financially, or wonder if we are good enough moms, or question why someone else's child got the scholarship and ours didn't, or a million other questions that cause doubts about our career choice.

But I believe the definition of meekness as a 'gentle strength', really describes SAHMs. It takes a strength to give up - what many times was a satisfying and financially rewarding career - to stay at home with your babies. It takes a 'gentle strength' to make yet another meal out of ground beef because it was on sale. It takes a 'gentle strength' to not lose your cool when your baby has colic, or your toddler is having a tantrum, or your school age child has been called to the principal's office.

It takes a 'gentle strength' to be all things to all people, wife, mommy, daughter, PTA chairman, neighbor, and any of a thousand other titles we take upon ourselves. It takes a 'gentle strength' to administer discipline to a child when your heart wants to hug them. It takes a 'gentle strength' to leave a wailing toddler with a babysitter to go on a date with your husband. It takes a 'gentle strength' to say no to a teenager who wants to do something because their friends are doing it - when you really want to make them 2 again. It takes a 'gentle strength' to stick with it, when every fiber of your being wants to break down and cry, or run away. It takes a 'gentle strength' to say. "I need some time to myself!"

But what is our promised reward for 'meekness'? Jesus tells us we 'shall inherit the earth.' Hmmm.... we get dirt? We get this ball we live on? The Living Bible tells us that, 'the whole wide world belongs to them.' Not much more promising, I'm having enough trouble with my own little corner of the world; I couldn't ever manage the whole thing - how about you?

The Message makes it clearer, 'You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment when you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.' (Italics mine.) That makes much more sense! We accept our role as SAHMs, we hit our stride, find a groove, and stick with it, and then we realize we have more than we ever hoped to have! Our paradigm has shifted - successfully!

We have acquired the inner peace that comes with trusting God and doing his will for our family, our children, and ourselves. We have accepted ourselves, and our role as a SAHM, and have become comfortable. We come to that moment of realization that the money is not what it is all about. Sure, it's nice to have, but it can never replace being there when your baby takes her first step, or your kindergartener comes home from his first day of school, or being there when your teen comes home excited that she has a date for the prom.

It is an indescribable satisfaction, a knowing that this is truly where God wants us to be. It is a desire to grow closer to Him and gain more 'gentle strength' for the daily battles. It is knowing in your heart and soul, that the decision was the right one, when you look in your child's eyes. We come to understand that the intangible rewards we receive on a daily basis, far outweigh those we earned in the "working" world.

Let us strive for meekness in our daily lives, and inherit the earth!


About the author:

Cheryl is a SAHM to her three year old daughter. She worked as a nursing home administrator for 8 years before her promotion to 'Stay At Home Mommy.' She loves being a homebody, sewing, needle arts, scrap-booking and raising her daughter. Cheryl believes that SAHMs don't get enough support or encouragement in this day of two income families.

[ by Cheryl Novak, Copyright 2000 ]