God Calls it Work

There’s a lot of confusion about what constitutes work in today’s society, especially for women. The most recent political furor centers around a comment implying that a woman who chose to stay home to raise five sons “never worked a day in her life.”

There’s a lot of confusion about what constitutes work in today’s society, especially for women. The most recent political furor centers around a comment implying that a woman who chose to stay home to raise five sons “never worked a day in her life.”

Admittedly the comment resulted in many unintended consequences, however, it highlights the confusion rampant in society today regarding the role and contribution of women. Young women face this pressure early. It also highlights the confusion about the definition of work. Too often work is defined by that which results in a paycheck, rather than effort expended to a productive end. Every mother has experienced that investing in the lives of her children requires more selfless effort than almost any other career.

Once again our culture’s failure to know the bible to inform the discussion comes into play. I Timothy 5:10 describes a women who has a reputation for good works: “as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress – as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.”

Often a paying career provides positive, adult feedback that encourages and motivates the employee. The positive feedback from wiping little faces and spreading peanut butter sandwiches comes much later, delayed often for many years. The selfless effort expended in rearing children is a 24/7 responsibility that doesn’t pay time and a half for overtime.

But God, who sees all, commends the mother who has raised children as one who exhibits good works. God calls it work, good work. Don’t let anyone belittle you as your expend that effort today.