You Are More Than Mom
Before I was a mom, I never thought too much about having kids. I knew I was going to have kids one day, but I never sat around dreaming about it. I didn’t romanticize it. That’s just not me.
Instead, I had fun pursuing my career in architecture, traveling the world, and spent time wondering who the man was that God would ultimately have for me. I’d needed to meet this man before I could even think about kids.
Well, I found that man! And, wow… let me say that the waiting was worth it! God created something special when He created my husband. When we met we both had great careers and opportunities for growth. However, I did know that when we decided to start our family that I wanted to be a stay at home mom. I could never see myself working the 40+ hours worrying about deadlines while trying to raise two children. I saw how hard it was for women in my industry to have flexible schedules to be able to go to their kid’s events or be home sick with them. I didn’t want this to be a worry.
Fortunately, we were able to be a one income family when we had our first child in 2011… Yet, I found that once I became a stay-at-home mom that something was missing. I really missed using my God-given talents, skills, and knowledge that I gained in college.
It’s not easy to give up the degree you worked so hard for and the ladder you used to climb in corporate America. Changing diapers all day and wearing a burp clothe over your shoulder like it’s a new and exciting accessory doesn’t get you a quarterly bonus and a “good job.”
My husband thought he was getting a stay-at-home mom (and that’s what I thought I was going to be), but I unintentionally ended up doing a bait and switch. I decided I wanted to be an entrepreneur and work from home doing something that I would love that would bless other people. I wanted to use the gifting’s God gave me to earn an income and help those around me.
Yet, even as I started pursing those passions I found that I started to have guilt for having pursuits other than my children. I always thought, “Why can’t I just be happy playing with my kids, keeping the house organized and clean, and preparing meals for my family like other women? Why do I want to add something else to my plate?” Because really, being at home and doing the daily and necessary activities is work! It’s not easy!
One night I decided that I needed to find out what scripture had to say about this so I turned to Proverbs 31. You know that gal… the one we are supposed to try to emulate? I thought it would be a good idea to see what she was keeping busy doing.
And that’s when I stumbled upon Proverbs 31: 16: “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”
Can I tell you that I started weeping when I read this? It was as if God spoke directly to my heart and said that it was okay that I wanted to be a mom who had a business from home. This woman spoken of in the book of Proverbs was a woman who carefully (it says she considered and was not impulsive) and thoughtfully determined where she would invest her time. She used her wisdom and skill set and saw a good investment. With the earnings from the field she purchased she planted a vineyard that would bless her family. It’s probably safe to assume that she blessed others with it too. How awesome is that?
For those of you moms who feel like you left part of yourself behind when you left your career to be at home, I want to encourage you! It’s okay to want to pursue something at home that brings you joy, blesses your family, and provides extra income. God made you with unique talents and abilities that He gave only to you that you can use.
God can do so much through you! Ephesians 3:20-21 says: “Now all glory to God, who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
If you have doubts about your abilities, don’t! If you let Him, God will use His mighty power to work through you to bring forth His purposes and plans. He’s given you strengths and skills so that He can use them to further His kingdom, whether it’s through ministry or a business. He has a purpose and plan for your life! (Jeremiah 21:11) Don’t feel guilty!
If you’re looking to start a business from home, but don’t know what to offer or how to translate your current skills into something you can do from home, ask yourself some general questions like these…
When you’re talking to someone one-on-one, what topic absolutely energizes or excites you? What could you chat about all day long?
What is something that you love to do that you would keeping doing even if someone didn't pay you?
And, what kinds of problems do you solve on a daily basis in your home or surroundings?
Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you what talents and skills He’s given you that He wants you to use to bless other people and provide an income for your family.
These questions will help you start thinking about a product or service that you can offer that is centered around a passion or skill that you have. It’s when we are working in our strengths and doing something that energizes us that we will find the most joy and be present for our families without taking on a business that drains you!
I’d love to help you find out what that is! Out of my own experience of creating businesses from home, I’ve put together a 20-page workbook that will take you through a series of questions and brainstorming exercises that will help you determine a solid business idea based on your strengths, skills, and talents. You can download the Uniquely You Worbook for free at www.UniquelyYouWorkbook.com and join our Facebook Community Group here so you can be part of a group of like-minded women who are just like you, women who left their careers to be stay-at-home moms and want to build a business from home!
Don’t worry mom! Hang in there! It’s okay to want more. If this is you, pray and seek the Lord for direction. He will show you what special and unique gifts He has given you that will bless your family and the community around you that you can develop into a business that you can do from home.
About the Author:
Gina is the creator and founder of YouAreMoreThanMom.com which is a resource that helps former career driven women who are now stay-at-home moms transition into their role as mom and then use their God-given skills, talents, and passions to start a business from home while keeping their family their #1 priority. Gina is a former residential home designer with a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and has a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Studies from Talbot Seminary, Biola University. Gina runs two businesses from home. The first as a Business Coach for Stay-at-Home Moms and the second as Health & Fitness Coach. Gina has 2 kids, a girl and boy, and has been married to her wonderful husband Caleb for 8 years. They live in southern California and absolutely love serving at their church. Gina is involved in ministry and her husband is a youth and worship leader. Gina loves to travel, read non-fiction books, design anything she can get her hands on, and eat fancy food (including fancy cheese).
Check out Gina's website here
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RULES:
Rules: 1. You must be a mom (any age) 2. Follow my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/raema.l.mauriello) and Instagram @raemam 3. Share with two friends who would also like to participate. Winner will be chosen at random and announced May 14th.
