What is success? What is a meaningful life? What is our purpose and reason for being? It's a question man has asked since first he gazed upon the stars, lifting his eyes in wondering bafflement at his own place in the universe to those glittering dots, so certain and sure of their own place and course in the heavens above. It is certainly a question that haunts modern man, perhaps even more so the modern woman. For millennia a woman's place was in the home, raising the children and seeing to the needs of her family. In the modern world, a woman can pretty much do as it pleases her, but with so many choices and opportunities, how is she to be certain what will make her happy?
That's easy, promise a thousand different voices, all vying for precious time or money, you need only do X, be Y, or own Z to make all your dreams a reality, but we've tried each and found it lacking, much as the writer of Ecclesiastes protested thousands of years before us: pleasure, wealth, power, relationships, he had 'it all,' but was still unhappy. How about we modern ladies, can we
'have it all' and be happy and successful with everything like all our female heroes seem to proclaim?
I'm a displaced professional, I tried the career thing but ended up burned out and dissatisfied, wanting to be at home for my then 1 year old son. A lengthy and messy job loss and an eight hour move later, I got my wish but the career ended up on the back burner. I've enjoyed my time as a mom, wife, and domestic CEO but as school loomed on the horizon for our son and no more children seemed forthcoming, I assumed I'd be heading back to work this fall on a more regular basis. But then our daughter appeared when we had almost given up, I was all ready to sell the crib and donate the diapers, having waited almost 3 years with nothing but a failed adoption to show for it. This past weekend I attended a professional conference, baby in tow, and was reminded just how frustrating and hard it was the first time to balance baby and career, even with a stay at home dad, could I do it again? The answer was a resounding 'no!'
Now this isn't the answer for everyone, certainly, but I felt a sort of weird peace that I was doing the right thing. Many still question my choice (mostly those who want the convenience of calling me at strange hours for something that may or may not be an emergency) or those who prize prestige or possessions as life's highest good, but I know this is not that for which we were made. I married a pastor, not only do I have a family, but I have a church to take care of. I don't get paid, nor do many realize the hundred little things I do that make a huge difference, the same goes for life in our home. Can I live with that? Some have glorious careers, devoted clients, others famous ministries that do worldwide good; my fame barely crosses the living room, where my five year old seems to have forgotten that I just told him not to wake up his sister.
The feminists would tell me that this is demeaning, a waste of my time and talents. The financial gurus would say I'm wasting my prime earning years. I'll forgive their ignorance, as they've probably never waited three years for the chance to hold a baby. No, this isn't what I planned to do with my life...it's better! There is no magic formula for a happy life, except to do what you know is right, even if the whole world thinks you're nuts! Even if it is really hard or not what you want (or think you do) and life gets ugly, disappointing, or confusing for awhile, it will be worth it one day, just keep going.
My grandmother never was able to have biological kids. She adopted my father and his sisters out of the foster care system and strove valiantly her entire life to be the mother they needed, but they had various issues and made poor choices. One died young. One is an alcoholic. My father was abusive, paranoid, and self-absorbed and never once thanked his adoptive parents for anything but rather blamed them for his failings and was always demanding money. My grandmother never had a day of maternal peace and joy in her life, but ever she pressed onward, was patient and loving towards her erring children, and ever cheery for her grandkids. She died nearly 20 years ago. She didn't live to see her great grandkids, but without her influence and example, I'm not sure she'd have any, for she was the only positive familial influence in our lives: she showed us what family could be, she was a light amidst the darkness of neglect, abuse, divorce, and dysfunction. She never had a fancy title or made a lot of money; her efforts were never rewarded with temporal joy, but the difference she made in our lives will influence generations to come. Is it worth it, this 'slaving away' in obscurity? Yes, totally, even if we do not personally live to see it, certainly others will, as does He who, 'sees in secret,' and thus our efforts are neither unknown nor unappreciated.
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