• Exercising
my giftedness
• Exhortation – encouraging others
in the workplace personally, professionally and
spiritually
• Working offers a bridge to understanding
the challenges of working moms thus creating an
opportunity for a workplace ministry
• Engaging in fellowship with other CWMs
– spurring on one another, sharpening, encouraging,
validating and celebrating
• Discovering confidence and comfort in
where and how God placed me in the workplace as
a wife and mother.
• Offering my children a role model (which
I try desperately to be but also often fail at).
How to act with integrity and respect in the workplace,
how to achieve goals and how to prioritize God,
marriage, family and work – with work not
taking a priority over what matters most.
Jennifer struggles in being a Christian Working
Mom in the following areas:
• Those pesky schedules when they must be
juggled, tossed, stepped on and cemented for the
sake of sanity, family, health and work.
• Learning when to ask for help while watching
the juggling act fail.
• Partnering with my husband to share responsibilities
in parenting and home. It may not ever be 50/50
all the time, but we strive together towards teamwork.
• Understanding that there is no such thing
as work/life “balance”, despite the
numerous failed attempts to find that oasis.
• Finding faith based support of CWMs (though
I am trying to change that locally)
Favorite Bible Verse:
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the
plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans
to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give
you hope and a future.” Liked it so much,
I had it tattoo’d on my shoulder blade as
a constant reminder of his faithfulness. I love
it. (That’s a creative way to memorize Scripture,
says Kimberly).
What is God teaching you right now?
Summed up, he has taught me how to trust in his
perfect plan for our family and how to celebrate
the Waiting Room we so desperately run from in
times of trial. See: http://clanoftheatkins.blogspot.com/
Also, he is teaching me to slow down:
• do a few things well instead of many things
moderately
• tap into the gifts of others (like husbands
and kids) when asking for help – instead
of the fraught with error “I’ve got
to do it myself if I want it done right”
• invest in relationships instead of time
spent on a meticulous home, well organized closets
and a sharp outer appearance. I will no longer
buy into “your home reflects how healthy
you are on the inside”. A few scattered
things about, some dishes in the sink, toys on
the floor, and a pile of laundry but still my
house is in order.
Words of Encouragement for other Christian Working
Moms
• value family dinner time, being “all
there”. Fight for it.
• seek out Christians at work – creating
a network and support system
• shake up your friendships – mix
your working moms and stay-at-home mom friends
together. We have a lot to learn from each other.
• Appreciate and validate the man your husband
is trying to be, finding that often respect will
breed partnership.
• Stop trying to be in control of everything
and allow others to participate. You may be a
rock star working mom, but you weren’t meant
to rule it all.
• Lift up your chin on those days when you
can’t stand driving away from your child
at daycare/school/camp or grandma’s house
and know this – 1) God may use the gifts
of many people to grow your child, so let him
and 2) have confidence in where he has called
you to and allow him to be your source of strength.
• Dispel the myth that the daycare worker
or teacher knows your child better than you because
you are working mom. No one can or will take your
place!
Anything else you would like to share:
• I love Kimberly Chastain. ? Hey, Jennifer
I love you to and all you do for Christ and other
CWMs.
I pray that women all over the world can follow
Jennifer’s example to start a CWM group
in their area. I know you have a lot on your plate.
Maybe you and another CWM in your area can decide
to start a group that meets once a month to study
Scripture, pray for, and support one another.
It can be done. Thanks Jennifer for sharing today
and encouraging me and other CWMs.
Final Thoughts
Our burdens seem a lot lighter when we share
them with others. Often, we don’t want others
to know we have problems. Take a risk and ask
others to pray for you and you lift others up
in prayer as well.
Till next time,
Kimberly M. Chastain
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is
the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed
Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author
of The Voices of Christian Working Moms, 2 ebooks
and an online Bible study. To find out how to
receive coaching tips by email daily, go to http://www.kimberlychastain.com/cwmtips.htm.
To find out more about her books go to www.christianworkingmom.com.
For a free, initial coaching session send an email
to free@kimberlychastain.com. |
