Recently, I read several articles defending women who choose to be homemakers rather than career-driven individuals. These women have faced criticism for being perceived as lazy. This idea disturbs me. Women who care for their homes are certainly not lazy. Just take a look at Proverbs 31.

Homemakers are fulfilling their intended creative role. In today’s society, two incomes are often required to support a family. For nearly thirty years, I worked to help provide for my family. I support the idea of women earning higher wages and achieving equality in the workplace. However, there is a fine line between success, money, power, fame, and maintaining one’s creative order.

A woman’s creative order is to support her husband and family. When this order is disrupted, family dynamics can suffer. Consider the old saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” When the primary support of marriage and family is out of balance, problems can arise.

When women become so focused on success that they prioritize promotions, money, fame, and power, they can disturb their creative order. Here’s what typically happens when a woman becomes increasingly successful in her career:

– She arrives at work early and stays late.
– She becomes fixated on her job.
– She spends less time nurturing her marriage.
– She has less quality time with her children.
– She does not maintain the intention of her home.

Marriage requires effort. It needs to be worked on, and without diligence, it can fail. If you neglect your relationship, you could soon find yourself arguing over trivial matters, and one partner may choose their career over the marriage.

If both partners work 60 to 80 hours a week, who is spending time with the children? In reality, it won’t be both parents. Who will teach the kids family values, morals, and the ways of God? Often, they will be left with babysitters, nannies, or friends whose faith may not align with their values. Children learn by watching what they see. What will you do when you hear them using inappropriate language or singing along to explicit lyrics?

Consider the chaotic mornings. The kids are screaming, you’re arguing with your husband, and the children are tiptoeing around to avoid conflict. You set the tone, intention, and mood of your home. You have the power to create a warm, peaceful, inviting, and joyful atmosphere, or you can turn it into a tense environment. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you influence the atmosphere of your home.

How is the atmosphere of your home?