Bible Text: Colossians 3:23 | Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living |

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

How do husbands and wives feel about working wives and mothers? That was the question that I posed at the end of a program. And who responded? About as many men as women—which came as some surprise to me.

One husband wrote, “Both of us must work. My salary only meets 62% of our needs. We have one car, usually in need of repair. It goes without saying what a hassle life can be like this. My job doesn’t allow time for me to look for another one. Our biggest need: time together as a family and as a husband and a wife.”

Another said, “My wife just quit work after almost 20 years of holding down a very good job. In analyzing our income, we discovered that by the time we paid for transportation, clothes, lunches, etc. etc., that the actual amount which she netted was only 5% of her salary, and we said, ‘It’s just not worth it.'”

Some wives were quick to point out that they were pulling an equal share of the load outside the home, but when it came to domestic tasks, there was no equality. The responsibility of the home was theirs alone. One woman wrote, “I am employed as a secretary, full time, and have worked all my life—have been married 35 years and reared one daughter. I try so hard to do everything right at home: do my work, cook meals, and all those things a wife does. I have a husband who comes home from work, and usually there is never a word said except to gripe about this or that not being done, or done his way. Honestly, I would give anything to be greeted with a smile—just a smile—and it would be nice for him to add, ‘How was your day?’”

A retired mother of six adult children, now in her 70’s, wrote, “My one wish was to be at home [with my children]. I worked 30 years and raised the family. My husband is a farmer and there was never enough.” Then somewhat nostalgically she wrote, “You do miss something [working] that never comes back.”

Can a mother work, hold down a responsible position and still have time for her children? Before you answer, you need to hear what one woman wrote. “I have been working in the insurance field since I was 16 and have only stayed home to have my boys, six weeks at a time—then back to work. I am now age 47 and president of five corporations, as well as a trustee of the holding company. I have great responsibility on my shoulders, but I can honestly tell you that my greatest and always my most joyous responsibility has been my husband and children. God first, family next, and then career has always been my motto and the only one that will work. I am so proud of my family and feel totally fulfilled because I have always put them as the most important. I wish that women everywhere would cherish the moments they have with their ‘borrowed children.’ There is nothing—I mean nothing—in the business world that has ever come close to the fulfillment children and family bring.”

The final paragraph written by this remarkable woman read, “I would love to tell [mothers who can stay at home] how lucky they are to stay home and enjoy every minute with their growing children. Thanks for your program.”

And there you have it–different responses to the issue of how important is the income from a working wife and mother and what priority she gives to her children and family.

Obviously, it’s an issue which has to be decided on a lot of factors including the age of the children, the importance of income, and the support a husband and father gives in the process.

But there is one thing for sure: Your children are the loan of a life–not a permanent possession, or an interruption of your career. They are possibilities for better or for worse, opportunities which are never to be repeated. Think about it.

Resource reading: Psalm 127