Working Motherhood: Courage, Community, Humility

"Life is not the mountain top: it is the walking in between," the songwriter said. I couldn't agree more. My walking in between as a working mother is different every week. I'm no robot, I'm always adjusting as I keep my eyes on the goal. My goal is to care for my husband and children.

I'm almost finished writing a book about transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) to working mom. I'm compassionate for all mothers. I know every mother works so you will not find disdain or criticism towards anyone. You will find support, understanding, and encouragement on every page of my ebook.

Back to today and this post. One often wonders what does it take to be a working mother. I believe that the words Courage, Community and Humility are a good place to start answering that question.

Courage

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” • 

Winston S. Churchill

Because of my job, I am now exposed to millionaire investors. I was meeting one the other day and he asked me why I had a necklace with a key with the word "courage" in it. I forgot about my need to look good and impress a prominent person and I told him the truth. I told him I'm a mother and I have little kids. It takes courage. He asked me how old my kids are. I told him. He doesn't have kids but he told me about the time he kept his young niece and how much courage it took to change explosive diapers. Courage doesn't discriminate. A few moments later, that gentleman told our group about the many times his ventures failed. It took courage to learn from failure and keep going. Working mothers get to continue to invest in the lives of their families. Day after day, courage is there for us.

Community

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. • 

Coretta Scott King

I believe that community is the secret sauce that makes the lives of working mothers successful. Whether is the community you pay for or the one you belong, being part of a group of people makes us whole. We were not created to be alone. Community is where compassion is embodied. I have experienced compassion from members of my community when I needed the most. I have also received surprise acts of love from community members. It is true that we get what we give. I try my best to be a person who is always looking to do good to others. I pray that even when I feel I have nothing to give, that God will give me words to be an encourager to others. One last thing, community is more than your family. If you have the "us four and no more" mentality, you are missing out on God's plan for your life.

Humility

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. • C. S. Lewis

I am well aware that humility is a cuss word in today's word. The problem is, God hates pride. I am not speaking about the pride that comes from doing a job well or the pride you feel when your child finally does something on their own. The pride that God hates comes from a haughty spirit, one that is filled with self-absorption. Humility is a key tool for the working mother because you have to get used to God's good ways. "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9" There is wisdom in being humble (Proverbs 11:2). All motherhood is a journey of humility if we follow God's design for motherhood. Being humble does not mean being a doormat. It means being more like Jesus.

Courage, Community, Humility. How can you add these tools to your working mother box?