Our original plan before we got Abram was for me to work part-time at Cornerstone, just 7-10 hours/week. We had already been living off of just Jason's income, but without me working, we would have to add at least $300 to our budget for insurance. So, this, combined with thinking it would be great to stay connected to working at Cornerstone led us to deciding I would work part-time starting July 1st.
Ever since we brought Abram home, I've felt that I would do whatever it takes (not buy clothes for a year, etc.) to get to stay home 100% of the time. But, I thought I had to work a little to make ends meet. I'd been feeling a knot in my stomach about having to work even a few hours per week, so I met with my boss to get the details on exactly what I would be doing and how often. He said I could work all from home, which was great. But, as I drove home, I just was hating the idea of working.
It is not that I couldn't work 5 or more hours per week. I'm sure I could sqeeze it in. But, as I thought about orienting my life fully around caring for my husband, my son and my household, which is what I am commanded to do by Scripture (Titus 2:4-5), the thought of even working 5 hours per week really bothered me. It would rob my focus off of my husband, son and household. I would rather use those 5 hours to research healthier meals for my family or figure out how to fix something around the house, etc.
So, I sat down and talked to Jason about this 1.5 weeks ago. I was willing to work if I had to, but I needed to know just why I was working so I could gear myself up for it. Jason listened to what I said. He said he heard me saying I didn't want to work at all and I said "YEP" (I had previously been afraid of admitting that because I thought I had committed to working).
Unbeknownst to me, just that week, Jason had been listening to some teaching on the Biblical roles of men and women and he had been convicted that if we need extra income, the burden should fall on him to provide it, not me. So, he told me I didn't have to work.
Unbeknownst to me, just that week, Jason had been listening to some teaching on the Biblical roles of men and women and he had been convicted that if we need extra income, the burden should fall on him to provide it, not me. So, he told me I didn't have to work.
OH MY GOSH . . . Next to getting married and getting my son, I don't know if I have EVER been happier. I am so grateful to now be able to focus ALL of my heart, mind and energy on mangaging my home and serving my husband and baby.
After we committed to having me stay home full-time, we found out my insurance might cost $600/month (just for me!). But, we decided to trust God and look into other options. God has already provided . . . I am able to carry cobra insurance from Cornerstone for 18 months (and it is very reasonably priced). And the other miracle God did is to provide us with a renter, which we had also been praying for. He has provided a GREAT gal to live with us and she is moving in this weekend. Just in one week's time He has provided all of this!
Yes, our budget is going to be tight. And I might not get to drink a white chocolate mocha from Burgies for about a year! But, God is SO faithful. And giving up the things of this world to gain the treasure of time with this little guy is definitely worth it. 
