Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
September – the kids go back to school and routine is resumed but this year it’s a time of change, I can feel it. Not for the whole family, I’m not foreseeing any big moves or shifts in our lives but just time for me to find a way to make the most of my skills. We’ve been in East Sussex for just over three years now and whilst I’m very settled here and quite content to stay for as long as the Lord calls us I’m also yearning for something else, to use my talents more fully, for some fulfilment. To work for God.
I’m continuing my voluntary work with the Hastings food bank as I enjoy that and I know it makes a difference to many lives but to be honest I’d stop if I felt there was a more permanent job I should be doing. I’m also starting a new voluntary role with the education charity TLG (transforming lives for good) and that means I’ll give an hour a week for the next academic year to a little boy to ensure he feels nurtured and cared for at school. This is a definite, so I won’t be changing that as you can’t make a commitment to a vulnerable child and then back out,
For the last few years I’ve been volunteering in the Welcome Team and managing the Facebook page of the Christian Conference centre, where I live. It has been an absolute privilege to serve alongside the committed team at Ashburnham Place and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it but there doesn’t appear to be any kind of paid or ongoing role for me there and I need to find an ongoing role. My heart is yearning for stability, challenge and the satisfaction of a full day’s work. I’ll still give time to Ash (as I fondly call it) and I can’t help but to be part of the community loving and nurturing all our young volunteers that come to live with us for 3-12 months but I won’t be such a regular sight in the office.
One thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to go back to full-time permanent work outside of the home. My kids all tell me they adore me being home (even if some of their reasoning is a bit skewed – who would do the cleaning if you weren’t here Mum?) and I like the freedom to be able to pick them up, take them to the lake swimming or help with their homework but I’m definitely open to a part-time job. One that will allow me to be around most of the time.
I’m considering temp work, or something like admin or reception is a local business. Without sounding boastful I have so many organisational skills I could offer to a small business. I don’t need a fancy title, or tons of money. I just want to help, enjoy my work and know that I am making a difference. It’s not easy to find the right role though as many a mother wants work a few days a week around school hours.
I’ve seen a couple of jobs that are home based and I could easily do them and enjoy them but then I wonder do I really want to work 15 hours a week for £150 when I could do one or two sponsored blog posts in a few hours and earn the same? But truthfully I’m not even sure why I’m worrying about the money as that is just a nice sideline of working. One that could perhaps pay for the abroad holiday next year that we now all desire, having been to Spain this year.
Would working in my own home give me that same sense of achievement and connection that I feel when I work outside of the home? I’m really not sure it would. I like the interaction of having people around me and bouncing ideas off them. There have been too many times when the Internet has felt like a very lonely place and it is full of comparison and you have to be pretty self-confident to be able to ride out the storm sometimes.
So when the kids go back to school on Wednesday I’m going to take a few hours in the prayer centre to pray and seek the Lord to see what He wants for me. I am after all, just a servant but please God I pray, show me the way. Help me to see what steps I should be taking this year. Where do you want me to serve?
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
I’m linking this post up with Sara for the Prompt. I read the prompt word of Return yesterday and then wrote this independently but have of course realised this post is all about return. The September return to school for the kids, return to routine for me and potentially the return to paid work outside of the home.
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28 Comments
i feel a bit like you. I like the fact that I can be a SAHM and earn a little via my blog, which gives me time to help with the PTA and be here for the boys after school. I could get a part time job but then i would need childcare and then most of my wages would go on that. Plus who else would help out at home with house duties? No one!
Anyway, Mich I hope you find your answer, I am sure you will xx
I’ve been doing some praying and searching these last few days and think I’ve come up with the right answer for me, now I just have to find the job to fit! lol
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I completely understand you wanting something that is going fulfill you. Something will come along and it will be perfect.
Thanks Donna, I’m hoping I’ve found it, we just have to see if they like my application.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I totally agree with you when you say that you don’t feel the same sense of achievement when you work for yourself as compared to working outside the house. I think that’s the hierarchal thinking that’s been instilled in us over the years. Praise by someone else always makes us feel better than giving yourself a little pat on the back. At least, that’s how it works for me.
Still, I can’t really picture myself working full-time for someone else. I do love the independence that self-employment brings, especially for me as a single mum x
Hmm, I’m not even sure mine is to do with external praise as I’ve not really received that in the last few years volunteering but it is that connection more than anything. Being able to have a real coffee with someone and talking face to face.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I like the challenges I get from my job and the hours are great – 8am – 2.30. I’m not sure I’d enjoy working from home all of the time if I’m honest and I’m pretty sure I’d never get dressed 😉
I’d definitely get dressed but I’m pretty sure I’d end up being distracted by all the other things that need doing at home and rarely get any paid work done!
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…That’s Important
Hi Michelle, what a great post. I am sure you will be guided to what it is you are supposed to be doing. I totally get your struggle between the loneliness of working from home and the flexibility. At the moment I’m looking after my 9 month old from home so I need to be around but there is something wonderfully inspiring about working with people, I love to be surrounded by others too. On a side note I am going to check out the educational charity you mentioned, I love the sound of volunteering in that way. Good luck! Lots of love x
Ohh good to hear that you will check out TLG, they are always looking for new committed volunteers. x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I work remotely form home, as you know, full time and I love it. Finding something that you enjoy is key,working 15 hours in a job that you find fulfilling is so much more personally rewarding that doing a couple of sponsored posts which might pay well but ultimately give little pleasure. I hope you find something that you click with soon Mich x
You are so right Annie, finding exactly what I want and what suits me is what I have to do and it isn’t knocking out a couple of sponsored posts. So yes, decision made I’m seeking a fulfilling job out of the home.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I blog as a full time job and it works for me around my kids i would like amore regular income though. best of luck with your search
Becky recently posted…How to add a touch of glass to your home
Thanks Becky. I’ve really been searching deep today and whilst I love running my blog I think I’ve realised that paid blog work doesn’t make my heart sing and therefore I shouldn’t do it. x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
Good luck with your search! I’m looking for a job, too. Something about this time of year definitely inspires change in a lot of us I think.
Ahh no longer looking now, eh Steph? Big well done xx
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I am sure you will find the right path for you lovely lady x
jbmumofone recently posted…#notnonstick
Thanks Jenny, I’ve sent off 2 applications today (very nerve wrecking) but there is one I really, really fancy. x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Coming Through the Hard Times and Making Space
I have a very rewarding day job, I think its really important that you have something in your life that is important to you, other than of course our amazing families. I love having our blog, but I like being me as well, away from the emails and computer screen. Wishing you luck on your search.
Each Peach Pear Plum recently posted…Our Indian Summer Date Night
Yes I think I have realised that I like being me away from home and my personal emails etc. Quite happy to deal with someone else’s. I’ve applied for a job I really fancy so just praying they want to meet me.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…What’s for the best? Only God knows the answer…
I think no matter what your job is, it has to make you happy and make feel fulfilled. If you dread going in then you need to reassess, because it’s not good for you or the people you work for or with.Good luck on finding the job you’re looking for.
Thanks Aly, you are so right. It doesn’t matter what you earn if you aren’t fulfilled in your job. I know the right thing will come up.
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…That’s Important
I think it’s so important that whatever you choose to do makes you happy be that working for 15 hours a week doing something you get a great sense of achievement in or a couple of sponsored posts that give you time for other things. I hope you are able to do something that you love
Thanks Becky. yes it has been good to go through this thinking exercise and to talk to people who know me and have helped me draw out what I really want. It is definitely the satisfaction that is most important.
As others have said, finding the thing that makes you happy is key. When I look back over my working life now I realise that a lot of what I did, especially the ‘high-powered, successful’ career part (that lasted almost 20 years!), didn’t make me particularly happy. What makes me happy is interacting meaningfully with people. I get that feeling from blogging and engaging with readers, but I also got it when I worked part time in a shop as a teenager… Now that my kids are all at school I am beginning to wonder what to do next. Like you, I want to still be able to be there for the kids after school etc. but I would like to find something that makes feel fulfilled – and I don’t think that’s monetizing the blog for me either! Good luck in your search, I hope you find what you’re looking for. Thank you so much for sharing with The Prompt (and apologies for the very late comment!) xx
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…Me and Mine: Summer 2016
Ye syou hit it on the head there, interacting meaningfully with people is really key. I worked a day helping out in a busy tea room this week, no payment. Just to help a friend and I loved it, I was needed, it was fulfilling and I could see the impact I had on guest relations. x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…They Don’t Know What’s Best For Them
I feel like I could have written your post. That is exactly the place I am in right now – children old enough to both be at school, and me yearning to use my giftings outside of the home. I pray for direction and when an opportunity arises I run at it, assuming it must be the right thing. Its only when I stop myself and ask the Lord to close the door to that opportunity if it is not right and the door firmly shuts, that I realise I am too trigger happy and perhaps where I need to be, is right where I am, for now. I know I will just know when the right path becomes apparent though, even if it is not in my timing – this patience and trust thing is a huge learning curve for me. Dee x
Hi Dee, Isn’t it hard being in this position, when we are so keen to serve? but your comment made so much sense to me, I’m always praying ‘your will be done’ too and the door closed for this job I applied for and I felt perfectly at peace about it. He’ll reveal the right thing in his time. Mich x
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