Two red lines appeared on the strip. Finally, I was a mother!
I suddenly felt the pressure of this greater responsibility. Nevertheless, I was beyond grateful knowing that a child is a “heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3, ESV). However, my job was not pregnant-friendly. It burdened me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
On the other hand, my mind was telling me, “Hey, you’re up for promotion next month. Think of the increase and bonuses.”
Thinking of my baby, I resolved to resign to lessen my burden. Yes, it meant giving up my financial wealth.
If you were in my shoes, what would be your decision?
The Dilemma
Being a mother is challenging and complicated. As such, making choices regarding our children and careers remains a dilemma.
Fortunately, we have our loving Father above. He is our best friend to help us through this uncertainty. Though it’s always easier said than done, that’s the essence of faith!
Significantly, God wired our frame wonderfully and fearfully. Since he is our strength, we have complete confidence that we “can do all things” (Philippians 4:13, ESV).
3 Factors to Consider When Finding Balance Between Children and Career
- Consult God first.
His promise rings clearly in my heart. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). Those plans are for welfare, not for evil. It is to give us a promising future and hope.”
Hence, the best option is always to consult our heavenly Father. Communicating with him daily through prayer and Bible reading helps a lot to discern what is best for you and your child.
- Seek counsel from your loved ones.
We, mothers, have once been children of our parents. Ephesians 6:1 (ESV) says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
Consequently, “it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land” (verse 3). After all, God created family and friends because He knows what we need.
Our elders can help us make wise decisions.
- Listen to your heart.
Envision your child’s future and ask yourself what you want for him. What kind of life do you want him to have? Look inward and listen to the Spirit’s leading on your heart.
Your child is a precious treasure. Sometimes, it’s better to set aside career and wealth for a time, as we can always find them later. On the other hand, we can never regain the time we miss as our children grow.
The Bottom Line
At the end of each day, we can only try our best to make the most of what we have. But more importantly, we must trust God with all our hearts.
We should not lean on our limited understanding, as Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) reminds us. As we acknowledge Him in everything we do, help is on its way for us.
May Calim writes for Heroes 2, a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version features new 3D animation with unique features and more challenging Bible questions in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.
