"Michell's Weekly Pearl"...(Feeling Guilty)

Hi everyone! Welcome to "Michell's Weekly Pearl", where I seek Godly wisdom to offer encouragement. If this is your first time visiting, let me tell you a little about my advice series. This is where you can ask me anything(within reason) on marriage, women's issues, family matters, relationships, parenting, homemaking, or life in general. If you want an honest, biblical based, to the point answer, email me your questions via prowessandpearls@gmail.com (please put "MWP" in the subject area). I'll post your question, along with my answer, anonymously. 

"Feeling Guilty" asked....

Hi Michell! I was so excited about your new phase that I decided to jump right in…(still at work, but on break yay!) Speaking of work.  I absolutely love my job…I’m the boss:0, but sometimes I feel guilty for having secret desires of being a SAHM. I stayed home with my 1st child for 2 years and loved it, but hated it because I missed working. I tried to work part time, but it’s almost impossible when running my own business.  I think I’m doing a good job, but honestly, the pressure to be excellent in both areas leaves me exhausted!

How did you balance ministry with raising kids? Is there even a balance?

More questions to come…I wrote a paragraph and now I have to run ;)

Blessings,

Hi “Feeling Guilty”

You’ve asked a question so many mother’s battle on a daily basis! Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer! I was in retail management(about 20 years ago) when our two oldest were 3 ½ and 2 years old. Because of the crazy hours, I would sometimes go a whole day without seeing them. If I worked the night shift I would miss them in the morning, because my husband would get them up early to take them to the babysitter and by the time I got home at night(sometimes after 11pm), they would be in bed! I got tired of the crazy routine and sometimes going a whole day without seeing my babies, so my husband and I decided(after looking at the pros and cons of me staying on my job), that it wasn’t worth it! Unfortunately many moms, single AND married don’t have this option and my heart goes out to them! God is absolutely awesome, as He carried us through that season! There were things we were willing to give up in exchange for our peace. Your case however is a little different, in that 1)you LOVE your job and 2) it’s your own business. From the sound of it, your only problem seems to be your guilt for wanting to be home. You should NEVER feel guilty about wanting to be home with your kids, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that…that’s your mothering instinct, lol! :-D  If I tell working mothers anything…it’s to NEVER feel pressured to be perfect. You’re a working/full-time mother/full-time business owner…you CAN’T be perfect, LOL! But, what you can do is work your plan to the best of your ability. Sounds like your plan is going great, btw! You can balance it all. There will have to be some give and take and coming up with ideas until you get it to work right for you, i.e.(going home and having lunch with your kids, having someone run it for you on Mondays or Fridays so you can have a day with your family, etc.). As long as your babies know they’re loved, they’re being nurtured by you, and your house is in order(hubby’s in agreement)it’s all good!! Besides, it’s an investment you and your husband are making for the future of your family. Who knows, one day your kids may run your business. How awesome would that be! 

As far as myself when it came to working full-time ministry and raising our kids, we had to literally think of it as a “family business”...ALL hands on deck! We all sacrificed and made an investment in the Kingdom for our future and God graced us…and here we are! It was hard, but easy at the same time. That’s what I love about His grace(it empowers us to walk out/through ANYTHING)!  And He DOES grace us for EVERY SEASON of our lives...but, we must be willing to walk in that season!! There’s a saying that goes like this…"play hard now, work long later…work hard now, play longer later”. With all that being said, the most important thing to do is to pray and seek GOD’S wisdom and guidance for what’s best for you and your family and the vision/plan He has for your lives! Hope this helped! Proverbs 24:3-4(AMP)

 I’ve been married for over 24 years to my husband, a pastor. I’ve worked alongside him in ministry full-time for over 17 years. During that time, we've pioneered two ministries and I've established a women’s ministry(Women of Excellence). We have three adult children and a son-in-law.  My areas of specialty are family, marriage and women’s issues. Hopefully the (Godly)wisdom I’ve learned through my years of experience will lead you to and keep you on the road to doing you well!  As my husband always says...why spend your life going down a road you don't have to travel, when someone else has already learned the lesson and can show you how to avoid that path.  

 Disclaimer: I don't profess to be an expert, but what I have learned...I'm willing to share.  With that being said...what I write on my blog is my opinion and advice. It is not my counsel. This also applies to anyone writing on this blog. If someone uses any advice, opinion or recommendation from this blog and is upset, angered, or harmed in any way, I am not to be held responsible or be held liable in any way. What I write on this blog is not to be taken as fact or absolute. My intention is to do no harm. The content in this blog is the opinion of this blogger and is not intended to disparage or malign anyone or anything that has the ability to be offended. I am not responsible, nor will I be held liable, for anything anyone says on this blog in the blog comments.

All Rights Reserved copyright© 2012-2013 Michell Pulliam “Prowess and Pearls” Devotionals by Michell Pulliam

Having a blast serving Him !

Xoxoxo

Michell