Looking at this picture of Ben carrying his favorite buddy Elmo, reminds me of the inspiring story of "Footprints in the Sand":
"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Author: Mary Stevenson, 1936"
The first time I read this article (which was a few years ago), I just went "Woooowwww" that is just so freaking inspiring and awesome!
It's like whenever you think you're in the worst phase of your life, you felt alone and helpless and there is no one to turn to or to help you back up, think again!
God is there with you all along!!!
Imagine, if life is smooth and uneventful all the way from the moment you are born into the world till you die wouldn't that be sad? It's like you're living with no purpose! What use are you if you're just doodling through the day all life long? Your life is much better than that! And life on earth is too short to be wasted on doing NOTHING!
As a SAHM, I do now and then feel left out when I see the latest things happening to my ex-colleagues, friends and/or family members. It's like their life (be it working or personal) is so much more exciting than mine! They get to go to company trips, they get to go holidays here and there, and so on. Then I go on thinking, "I am alone within these 4 walls day in and day out with Ben. Their life are so happening outside compared to mine!"
But then, upon closer look, I noticed that there are some of them who grumbles about the coming week days of work. They dreaded the coming Monday (Monday blues so to speak) and that they don't want the weekends to end. (Heck, I too don't want the weekend to end but it's not like it makes much difference to me since a SAHM works 24/7, 365!!) And by around 5pm or so, upon closer look again, statuses popping out on their Facebook walls, counting down the hours and minutes before the work day ends. FYI, I used to do that too, when I was serving my 1 month notice of resignation (I quit to become a SAHM but that aside, I feel if you are paid to do your work, you should do it honestly and do it for God!)
So, now, I think again... I shouldn't compare myself with the life of others. They get to go for trips, travellling, dinners, and so on, they get paid but are they happy with it? Are they doing it cos they need the money to survive? To maintain their lifestyle? Are they doing their job wholeheartedly and doing it for God?
Of course, I am not saying all of them are like that, but some of them are.
Read: Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV), Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
I came across this bible phrase years ago and since then, I told myself to do my work as if I'm working for God, not man. I do things that satisfies God and pleasing to Him.
Which is why when I quit my job and became a SAHM, I think it is the right thing to do. I am in no way bragging that life as a SAHM is all glory and nice (one common perception by others is people think we became SAHM because we are rich and comfortable even with 1 less income to the family!)! I know we might have difficulties adjusting initially to one less income for the family but God is good! He provides ALL THE TIME!
So, back to the "Footprints in the Sand" topic, yeah, from now on, whenever I feel all alone at home with Ben, I'm going to remember this article. God is with me and Ben and He is watching and looking after us! Although I don't have those company perks anymore, no bonus, no annual leave, no medical leave, I know that I'm doing the right thing and God is with us all the way!
