Career Transitions

I have never really considered myself a “career woman.”  After graduating high school, I went to college with the hopes of preparing myself for a possible career in the workforce, but knowing that my ultimate desire was to eventually be a wife and mother.  And although I did end up meeting my husband during my collegiate years (although we lived miles and miles apart), I did not go to college to pursue an MRS degree (not that there is anything wrong with that- to each his own!). 

As a young woman, I obviously didn’t have the slightest clue what God’s plan for my life would entail, so I wanted to prepare myself to be self-sufficient in case it was God’s will for me to be single for a while.  I had an idea of how old I wanted to be when I got married and had children, but it ultimately wasn’t something for me to decide (go figure!), so I figured I better prepare myself for life in the working world.

Long story short, I graduated from the University of Richmond in May 2003 with a degree in Sociology.  I was about to marry Kevin and was blissfully unaware that getting a nice paying job would be more difficult than I ever thought.  A college degree was the big ticket to a decent salary, right?   W-R-O-N-G!

As the Lord would have it, I’d spend the next few years working at a couple of different companies.  I ended up not doing anything related to social work (which is what I had originally thought I’d like to do), but still was able to work my way up a little bit.  As Kevin found his way into the teaching profession, my job and salary was pretty reliable, so it was definitely a blessing. 

Then, my career suddenly ended in January 2009, when I was laid off for the first time in my life.  It was tough to say the least, but not devastating, as I was then pregnant with Andrew and had planned to quit work when he was born in August.  It was just time for us to start practicing living on one income a little earlier than we had planned.

A few months after we lost Andrew, I wasn’t really sure what to do career wise.  I was sort of ready to go back to work, at least until we got pregnant again and got to bring a baby home.  By the grace of God (and a sweet friend’s help), a job basically fell into my lap.  It turned out to be a really great thing.  Not only could I focus my mind on my work as I continued to grieve and try to conceive again, but Kevin and I were able to save more money and do some projects on our home.  I worked there up until the week before we were scheduled for Savannah’s induction.

So, now, finally, after what has seemed like forever, I have landed my dream job of stay-at-home wife and mommy.  Though this is something I have wanted to do for as long as I could remember, it has been one of the most challenging career transitions of my life!  The hours are much much longer, the pay is much much less, and it is far less glamorous.  But, you know what?  I wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING!

The Lord is truly doing a work on my heart.  I’m developing a huge heart for my home.  Not only do I thoroughly enjoy spending this priceless time with my daughter, but I’m starting to actually enjoy the homemaking aspects of it as well. 

Don’t get me wrong, loading and unloading the dishwasher will probably NEVER be something I enjoy, there are times when I wish I could clock out and “leave work for the day,” and I certainly miss the extra money to eat out and buy a new outfit at Ann Taylor Loft, but the Lord is allowing me to also experience some of the joys of homemaking.  I’m finding much greater satisfaction in cooking a nice meal for Kevin after he comes home from a long day at work, in planning my weekly menu, in looking for ways to stretch our money, and getting other things marked off my daily “to-do” list. 

While the world may not consider my new career as something valuable or productive, I’m finding that there is great joy in being the keeper of my home.  And as for my resume, I think I may have reached the tip of the iceberg after all.  How does Chief Operating Officer of the Eddins household sound?  Not too shabby, huh?

**Disclaimer: This post is not meant to start a debate about women who work outside of the home. This is just a reflection of my experience being obedient to what God has called me to do.