Sick!
While I'm "away", here's an article at Crosswalk.com by Carolyn McCulley (who also blogs at Solo Femininity). The article, What to do in the meantime, deals with a question that I've asked so many times myself. Here's a peek,
Continue reading Carolyn's column here.QUESTION: My nineteen-year-old daughter has graduated high school and is attending the local college. She wants to get married and have children. My question is this: what is she supposed to do with her time? Does she pursue a degree? Get a job? We've prayed and so far are not getting much direction. We've raised her to believe her role is to be a wife and mother but what if that's not where she ends up or what if it's not for ten years? Does she stay at home with us? At what time does she strike out on her own? She is our oldest child so this is uncharted territory for us! Just as a side note we have gone the courtship route and she has not found anyone yet.
ANSWER: A question like this requires a balancing act of tact and faith from my end. As an older never-married woman, I’m certainly glad I pursued an education as well as professional and personal interests. Though God has not (yet) answered my prayers for marriage and children, I have led an interesting, varied and full life serving others in the church and on the job.
What are your thoughts on Carolyn's column?
Update: Jennifer at Jennifer's Musings posted on why she is thankful for her father's authority. This post is outstanding and I agree with her completely. I'd encourage every young lady to read it!
Related posts: Homeward Bound and Let's Talk
posted by Kristin at
5:55 AM
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6 Comments:
Sorry your sick, Kristin! I hope you get better soon!
Thanks for posting the link to this article. It's something my parents and I have been thinking and praying about a lot recently. Do I go to college, or do I stay home and serve my family as I prepare for marriage? My main wish is to stay home, since it seems to me that I would learn more about what I hope to do later (be a wife and mother) at home, and it'd be a lot cheaper! My dad right now still kinda wants me to go to college, as does some of my other family, though my mom is for staying home. I have an older sister who's 26, who has graduated from college, and who works and lives near us and is as of yet, unmarried. Another sister who's 21, is probably going to college this fall. So, as you see, it's a big topic in our home right now! =) We don't have a concrete answer as of yet... I'd be interested in reading what others have to say.
Aw! :( I hope you feel lots better soon! I'll be praying for you! Drink lots of water, and "snuff" salt-water, and it will help. :) (Really--the salt-water works!)
Morgan
I am praying for your complete recovery, Kristin! Get better!
Thanks for everyone's prayers :) I appreciate them a lot!
Anna - thanks for your thoughts as well.
Anna Naomi,
Your situation reminds me of mine. :) I'm almost 17, and my dad drops hints about college pretty often. His main concern is that I have a marketable skill if I should fall on hard times or not marry, which I understand. . .yet I'd rather remain at home and train my hands in a skill here, since marriage is what I truly desire to be my "career." The main area I am praying for discernment in is whether to seek to specialize in something--I have many interests, but I don't seem to excel in any one of them. :/
But of course, when we look at the Proverbs 31 woman, we see that she has many skills. . .and uses some of them to earn extra income for herself and her family. She was either trained in these skills by her parents, another family member, or someone outside of the family. If you find that you have a Godly interest/talent in an area that your parents aren't as knowledgable about (say, you want to learn how to draw & paint, and your parents aren't artistic--just an example), then you may find it wise to consider some sort of education outside of the home. But that doesn't necessarily have to be college--it might be correspondence courses, or apprenticeship to a local Christian artist.
Anyway, I think that the bottom line is to be walking in God's will for your life. :-) Keep seeking His face!
~JoAnna
P.S. My thoughts are still developing on this issue, so I hope I made sense! :)
go to college. it is completely unrealistic and naive to expect that some man/husband will take care of you in this day and age. first, the cost of living in this nation is such that most families require dual incomes. secondly, if something occurs and a husband is injured/hurt/killed, a mother MUST be able to provide in some way for her children. that too is a "duty." therefore, it is worthwhile to expand your knowledge, learn a skill or trade, or at least gain an education. should you then marry and choose to stop working and stay home to raise children, that's fine - but you will always know you have some ability to step up and support your family should the trouble ever arise.
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