I’ve been in the corporate world my entire adult life, so I never thought I would have the letters SAHM (stay-at-home Mom) at the end of my name, but alas, I do—and I’m proud of it.
But I’m a newbie, and boy am I learning lots as I go! Four weeks now.
I have three children. That’s right—three, all adopted, ages 4, 6, and 8. Talk about a crash course!
Transitioning from a systematic research role in the corporate world into the homemaking world, I felt inspired to start with a list of what I wanted—and needed—to do every day and every week. So I created a one-sheet list of my daily and weekly checklists. Four weeks into it, and I’m proud to say that I’m getting into my routine rather nicely.
One thing has struck me about my new role as a SAHM, and that’s the opportunity not only to sit and read the Bible and pray—that too is on my list—but also the opportunity to pray as I go through the tasks on my daily and weekly to-do list.
Yes, I have become a PAHM—a pray-at-home mom.
When we as moms—newbies and veterans alike—take time to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we invite God into everything we do.
We can start the day with praying.
* When we get ready in the morning, we can thank God for blessing us with another day and ask Him to guide us in all we do.
* When we make our beds, we can pray that God would bless us and our husbands and that we would always seek to glorify Him in all areas of our lives.
* When we unload the dishwasher, we can thank God for the food from the previous day and for the opportunity to sit at the table with our families one more time.
As we go through our days, we continue praying.
* When we sort the laundry, we can pray that God will protect each member of our families—at work, school, and camp.
* When we hang the laundry on the line or place clothes in the dryer, we can pray for each family member individually, taking into account anything they are going through at that time.
* When we clean around the house—whether it’s sweeping or mopping—we can ask that He would continue to clean all areas of our spiritual houses.
* When we dust furniture and photos, we can ask Him not only to show us the areas that are accumulating dirt and dust in our lives but also to be with each person whose pictures grace our walls.
As the evening winds down, we pray some more.
* When we plan our groceries, meals, coupons, and price-matching lists, we can ask Him to help us be good stewards of the resources He has entrusted to our families.
* When we spend time with our kiddos and husbands, we can laugh at our silliness and thank God for the gift of family.
* When we observe our children playing, we can ask God to show us how to affirm them for their good choices—and how to respond to their not-so-good choices.
* When we sit down to rest, we can thank Him for that time as well.
Yes, I am a SAHM. I’m also a PAHM. You can be too!
We can ask God to show us all the opportunities to pray throughout our days—in addition to our sit-down time to pray and read the Bible. God will not only give us the strength to do the things that need to get done; He will also change our attitudes about each and every one of them. If something doesn’t get done on a particular day—or something unexpected happens, we can pray about that instead.
As for me—the newbie SAHM, I want to serve my family—now more than ever. After all, when I serve them, I’m serving God too.
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord—you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Staying at home. Praying at Home. Growing closer to the Lord at home.
Daphne Tarango
About Daphne Tarango
Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer who comforts others with the comfort she has received from God. Daphne is a recovery speaker and writers’ group president. She has published numerous inspirational articles in print and online magazines. She has three stories in the inspirational collection, Women of the Secret Place, published by Ambassador International. Daphne is married to Luis and in the past year, has resigned from corporate life to take a position as a stay-at-home mom of three adopted children. To connect with Daphne, visit her blog: http://DaphneWrites.com.
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