that proverbs women...

**{DISCLAIMER: THIS WILL BE LONG}**

For the past year Keenan and I have been thinking so much to the point of hurting our brains about starting a family. Every question that im sure everyone goes though has been brought up in our conversations. Like, "How much money do we need to save?", "How much money does Keenan need to make for me to stay home?", "Is it a good idea for me to go back to work w/ kids?", "How long should we wait before having another?"...and the list goes on. We have been asking so many people who are believers that have children, "How do you do it!?". Everyones answer is different. But last night Keenan had brought up the conversation again and I realized...the only people we have asked that question to are families where the mom stays home and doesnt work. I have never reached out to a Godly women who has children AND works..how they do it. To be honest I have been judgemental to the christian women that doesnt stay at home with her kids. I have viewed them as less "godly" and that they dont care about their children as much as the stay at home mom does, I have viewed "her" as not really a women that cares about her childrens faith and walk with the Lord and as I am sharing my thoughts on this white screen with the whole world- I am realizing more and more, how did i grow so cold? Its terrible that up until now I really had no respect for the christian working mom. Then I am brought to the one women that EVERY Godly wife/mom wants to be.... THAT PROVERBS WOMEN. Some of us hate her and some of us admire her so much. When Keenan and I were talking about the family/work thing the other night he brought her up. I was crying so confused and hurt that I may have to work while having children and that that would make me a bad mom. Well then Keenan says this "What about the Proverbs Women? She worked didnt she?" ... Well to answer that question for myself and anyother women in this type of pickle, lets look to the scripture...

¹⁰ 
PROVERBS 31
A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

That is such a strong passage. I have read several different versions of this passage from NIV, ESV, The Message, and NLT. Basically this wife and mother works her but off from day to night. She is productive which means she must be organized and on schedule. She does not worry all too much about life because she has full trust and dependance on the Lord. She loves her children and her husband even more. But shes not perfect. I think that is what I have always not liked from this passage. She seems like freakin' typical 50's housewife! Shes still human. She still isnt perfect! Why would they not include her imperfections? There is NO WAY that I could EVER live up to these standards completely. ...im going on a tangent. Re-focus Jen. OK SO- my point of all this is...is it possible to be a good Godly wife and mother AND work all at the same time? Is it possible mentally and physically?  We want to have a family. I want to be a good wife. I want to be a good mother. Are we over thinking this?