A woman named Emily was renewing a certificate at a government office when the clerk asked her to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. “What I mean is,” explained the clerk, “do you have a job? “Of course I have a job,” snapped Emily. “I’m a Mom.” “We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation . . . ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the clerk emphatically.
The woman telling the story forgot about Emily until one day when she found herself in the same situation, this time at a local police station. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.” “What is your occupation?” she probed.
The woman blurted out: “I’m a Research Associate in the Field of Child Development and Human Relations.” The clerk paused, pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. The lady repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then she stared with wonder as her pronouncement was written in bold ink on the official questionnaire!
“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?” Coolly, without any trace of fluster in her voice, the woman heard herself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally she would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters, (the whole family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree.?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.” There was an increasing note of respect in the girl’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered the lady to the door.
The woman notes that when she got home, buoyed up by her glamorous new career, she was greeted by her lab assistants -ages 10, 7, and 3. Upstairs, she could hear their new experimental model, (a 6-month-old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. She felt she had triumphed over bureaucracy and had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mom.” Motherhood . . .What a glorious career!
Does this make grandmothers “Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations”, and great grandmothers “Executive Senior Research Associates”??? Perhaps so!!! It also makes Aunts “Associate Research Assistants”.
-Author Unknown
Motherhood is an honor and a blessing and should be treated as such. It’s a calling from God that should be embraced with respect. It is a privilege entrusted by God and should not be taken lightly.
Mothers and mother figures are responsible for shaping the lives of children to become responsible adults, for nurturing children, and teaching them right from wrong. They have the responsibility to influence little people in positive ways and to instill within them the importance of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and love for God and their fellow man. The love of a mother is the first love that babies know, the first hug, the first feeling of safety, the first influence in the way that they will make choices.
James Dobson, the well-known founder of Focus on the Family accurately asserts, “Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built.”
Proverbs 31:25-27 “Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future. Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue. She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.”
Wishing a blessed Mother’s Day to all the mothers and praying for comfort and precious memories for those whose mothers have passed on.
We pray that you have a good Memorial Day also celebrating the brave military men and women who died for us and our other loved ones. Our next website post will be the 2nd week in June. Please LIKE and SHARE our weekly Facebook posts normally published during the weekend. If you have questions or need assistance, contact us via email at our Contact Page or call (304) 252-4115.