"There is an opening for a well-rounded, personable, patient, clean and neat, well-dressed, healthy and attractive individual. Working Conditions: long hours, low pay, few fringe benefits, occasional but short vacations, no guaranteed holidays. Applicant must have management ability, dietary knowledge, ability to drive, knowledge of etiquette, knowledge of new math is helpful, ability to sew, mechanical knowledge and must show commitment to the position. No written test is required."

Without too much effort, most of us could guess that the position described in the above ad is that of a mother. Clearly, "difficult" would be too light a word to describe this role. The ad reminded me a little of the description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. Take a second and look on the other page of this bulletin to see the Proverbs summary of her qualities.

Now, if you took time to look over that Proverbs 31 description, you'd agree with me that truly the role of a mother is a difficult one. However, the last verses of Proverbs 31 says, "her children will rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: `Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."' (Prov. 31:28-29). I think the point is to try and convince us that the blessings of being a mother far outweigh the difficulties. Many other passages recommend yes, teach that motherhood is the greatest role any woman could attain to.

I would love to convince you that there is no greater need in the world than for women to return to the role God gave them. It is becoming increasingly difficult to exalt that role in our society. The devil has worked diligently the past 200 years to eradicate Bible concepts from the heart of our nation. Movements like "equal rights", "women's lib," and the desire to "keep up with the Joneses," have led many women to leave their homes and children to enter the world of business and secular work.

There are at least three dangers that face women who follow this path: (1) A feeling of independence can develop, causing the woman who now has her own income, to feel superior to her husband and resent the idea of being subject to him or dependent on him; (2) Children can be neglected. They come home from school to empty houses or are put into the care of others who have no godly values and very little personal interest in his/her well-being. When the working mom does come in she may be so exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed by all there is to do at home that she can give little time, attention and love to the children; (3) also, because the professional world offers its own sense of fulfillment, sometimes her life gradually becomes more centered around her job rather than her home. (4) Finally, the working woman is constantly influenced by the worldly people with whom she associates. Many women who never smoked, cursed, or dressed immodestly before accepting a job can be influenced to do so after they begin working.

Please understand, I am not making accusations toward every woman who has ever worked. Certainly we know women who, because of unfortunate circumstances, had to work, and, recognizing potential dangers set their hearts to avoid them. And we should have great admiration for such women. But if we are honest we will all admit that many problems exist because so many mothers work, and that ideally, the woman's place is in the home, not in public work. Christian mothers are to be "keepers at home" (Titus 2:4-5). Stay tuned for an upcoming article regarding the role of a Christian father!

Mike