What I have changed to stay home

There are many things that I have given up to stay home with my children...

-Getting my hair cut and colored on a regular basis
-Buying whatever I want at the grocery store
-Not getting to dress up and talk to adults
-A new car
-A bigger house
-Cable
-Caller ID
-Trash service
-OnStar
-Actually getting to sit down and eat a full meal without interuption
-New "toys"
-The list could go on and on...

In my Sunday school class yesterday the man who was leading mentioned that he was having trouble witnessing to his brother because he was unwilling to give up his partying, drinking, and having fun to lead a so called boring Christian life. I pray that someday he sees what he is really missing.
This discussion got me to thinking. We as mothers are doing the same thing. We are unwilling to give up some of our luxuries and toys and instead we work 40+ hours a week to keep them instead of cutting back so that we can be at home with our children. I hope that this blog will help others see what they could have in return for a little minor discomfort.

What I have gained as a stay at home mom...

-Getting to see my children every single morning and know that I will have the whole day to love and teach them
-A wife that is not overly stressed from work and taking care of the home. I am able to give my husband the attention he needs.
-Home cooked meals
-Time to myself
-Time to teach my children and spend time with them in the Bible
-Again this list could go on much longer then the first.

I believe that wanting to stay at home and actually taking action to do so sometimes just needs to be put in perspective.
I realize that there are some women who truly can not leave work due to debt, being a single parent, etc. Please pray about your unique situation. God will provide an answer in His own time.