Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms
September 2008 Edition
Welcome
Blog/Online Bible Study
CWM Coaching Tips
Article – Sarah Palin, CWM Battle comes to the
White House
Welcome
If your children have started a new
school year I hope they have had a good start. Also,
hopefully you didn’t cry too much. If you have
babies or preschool children school will come sooner
than you think.
For our international subscribers forgive
the focus on the US Presidential race that is the
topic of the article this month. I would be interested
to know in other countries if you have CWMs in high
governmental positions. Please visit the CWM Blog
at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com
and share your thoughts.
I had all ready planned a different
topic for our article this month, but a talk radio
show and my daughter changed my mind. My daughter
strongly encouraged me to write about Governor Sarah
Palin and I agree with her.
Blog/Online Bible Study
Come visit the CWM Blog at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com.
Many of your visit, but few post. Share your thoughts
on this month’s article. You can find the online
CWM Bible study at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com.
CWM Coaching Tips
When you are a busy CWM it is hard to
find time for a quiet time.
Have a tip emailed daily to you to help you grow in
your walk with God. To find out more go to: http://www.kimberlychastain.com/cwmtips.htm.
Article – Sarah Palin, CWM
Battle comes to the White House
In the United States we are currently
in a campaign for the next President. John McCain
has chosen a Christian Working Mom, Sarah Palin, to
run for Vice President. The response of the media
and others has been surprising, sad, and perplexing.
Let me share a little information about Sarah Palin.
She is the governor of the state of Alaska and a mother
of 5 children. Her youngest son is 4 months old and
has Downs’ syndrome. She knew while she was
pregnant that her son had Downs and she did not consider
an abortion. She said all children are blessings and
a gift from God. Governor Palin also recently found
out her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. Her daughter
is getting married and having the child. Governor
Palin
has been criticized by the press for seeking the Vice
President as a mother with a child with Downs’
and her daughter being pregnant.
Click
here to read an article in the New York Times.
Women and men are questioning if she can do the job
and be a Mom.
Governor Sarah Palin from various articles
seems to be a committed Christian. Here is an article
about her faith, click
here. So, it was only a matter of time before
the issue of whether Christian Moms should work outside
the home would come up. I was driving to work the
other day and listening to talk radio. A woman called
in saying, “The Bible says that women are to
be keepers of the home, Sarah Palin needs to stay
home and raise her children.” I have never called
a talk radio show before, but my fingers couldn’t
dial fast enough. I shared with the radio host about
the Proverbs 31 women and being keepers of the home
does not mean one cannot work outside the home. (For
a more thorough look at what the Bible says about
working moms go to www.christianworkingmom.com
and see the article on the home page entitled What
Does the Bible Say About Christian Working Moms).
There are several issues going on in
the nomination of Governor Sarah Palin. One is that
she is a conservative woman. She is strongly pro-life.
Her life is evidence that she talks the talk and walks
the walk. The pro-choice crowd is only pro-choice
if a woman chooses death not life. Governor Palin
knew her son had Down’s syndrome before he was
born and she chose to bring him into this world and
love him. The fact she is so strongly pro-life means
she is a target. Listen to this verse from Psalms
11:2, “For look, the wicked bend their bows:
they set their arrows against the strings to shoot
from the shadows at the upright in heart.” Governor
Palin is unabashedly speaking about absolute right
and wrong. The Bible is her guide. Thus, a lot of
the criticism is being thrown against a woman who
dares to stand up and speak God’s truth.
Another issue is one we have all faced
here in our CWM community.
Can a woman work and raise children? Obviously, Governor
Palin has been doing this for several years. She appears
to have a supportive husband and together they are
raising their children. If she becomes the Vice-President
she will probably have more paid household help than
any of us could dream of. Also, her work and home
are extremely close. Pretty short commute. Yet, as
one commentator pointed out no one has asked Barack
Obama if he can be president and be a Dad of two young
girls. This question is only asked of women. Will
it be difficult being Vice President and a Mom?
Yes. Is it difficult for you being a
CWM? Yes. Does difficult translate into being wrong?
I think not. Ask any stay at home Mom if they have
difficult days and I think she will tell you yes.
Every family has to make the decision about what works
best for their family and one size does not fit all.
As Christian working Moms we need to willingly support,
love, and encourage any Mom whether she works outside
the home or not. That is what we are called to do
in Scripture. Love one another. Christian stay at
home Moms are my sisters in Christ and I should not
be in a battle with them.
A third and final issue is sexism is
still alive and well in this country.
First, let me categorically state I believe in scripture
God gives men and women different roles. He made us
different for a reason and we are to complement one
another. So, please don’t hear me saying that
men and women are the same, which is simply not true.
The sexism question is whether or not Governor Palin
is being judged by different standards than a man.
She will be asked questions that a reporter would
never dare ask a man. Has anyone asked a male candidate
how they balance work and home? I don’t think
so. So, I think as women we only want to be judge
by how we work and whether or not we do a good job.
The work ethic should be the same.
I don’t know what will happen
in this election. The Christian Working Mom battle
has now come to the second highest office in the United
States. God uses women who are willing to die to self
and live for Him. I have listened to Governor Palin’s
speeches and heard a word that only the Christian
community can truly understand. Governor Palin has
said she would be a servant for the people of the
United States. As Christians, we know that Christ
calls us to serve others.
Put Christ first, others second, and
our selves last. We also model our lives after Christ
who left his throne in glory to become a servant
and die for us. In Matthew 20:26-27, Jesus says to
the disciples: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.”
The true issue is not about being great, but we all
need to have a servant’s heart and serve our
God.
Sister Christian Working Moms may we
all follow where God leads
and have a servant heart. Also, no matter what country
you live in pray for your leaders and that they would
seek God and his wisdom for your country.
Till next time,
Kimberly M. Chastain
