Christian Motherhood: A journey to benefits instead of features.

I bet you didn't come to a home decor website to talk about motherhood. Friend, let me tell you about how the worlds collide.

I'll never forget the day a post came across my Instagram feed with something to the tune of “staying home to mother your children is the highest calling.”

As a Christian mother — who works outside the home — my eyes began to sting from fighting back tears.

I work outside my home. I love God. I love my child and pleaded with The Lord for her life to miraculously exist.

Before we go any further, let me be clear. I cheer for and with the Christian mother who has the ability and desire to stay home with her children. For far too long, the girl boss hustle culture looked down on these women and that is not the heart posture of this post. I honor and admire the women who obey the conviction to be the CEOs of their homes.

That said — as a young Christian mother who stayed in the workforce for a host of reasons, I noticed that as the social media posts fought back against the damaging narratives, we ate away at the space for mothers who get up each morning to provide for their families outside of their home and who love God and their children dearly. Instead of advocating for Christian motherhood — period — there seemed to be an undercurrent that certain day-to-day home operations were holier. Notice that post didn’t say mothering your children is the highest calling; it said staying at home to mother your children is the highest calling.

If I could address this blog, I would address it to the Christian mother (no qualifier) because all Christian mothers should be celebrated, cheered for, and lamented with.

I spent far too many days of my child’s first year of life with a tinge of shame that I was a lesser than mom, and my heart is to offer hope and encouragement to the mom who — like me — has turned to Google seeking scripture and encouragement to help with processing these complicated feelings.

At my day job, the place I provide for my family, I coach startup company founders. One of the skills I help them refine is how to pitch; Yes, think Shark Tank. As I help each founder to prepare, one of the first lessons we learn is “features versus benefits.” What we mean when we say this is that an audience cares more about the benefits of a product than they do how it’s made. Tell me why your product will make my day simpler. Don’t tell me your widget was made with the highest grade of steel.

As I’m teaching this lesson over-and-over, my thoughts are racing with doubt about who I am because my strengths and capacity do not allow for making every meal from scratch or homeschooling my children. These are wonderful things, but they aren't features in my current capacity.

What I failed to realize is that I was no less feminine because my features look like decorating my home to be warm and inviting, or celebrating every moment of my child’s life with a special, homemade craft curated on the weekends.

Ultimately, mothers are to: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” It’s about the benefit — that our children would know and love God and His people. The passage is not specific in the features used to train the children.

The way I love and lead my children may look different from others in practice, but the outcome is the same. If a Christian mother is doing all she can to nurture, care for, support, provide, and love her household, she is operating in God’s calling for her life.

Here’s the question that may be plaguing you: does scripture prohibit or speak against mothers working outside of the home?

The answer is clear — no.

Let’s look at the Proverbs 31 woman, for example.

“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.”

Proverbs 31:13-18 NIV

A woman providing for her family who does so to honor The Lord and her children is responding to a noble duty — whether she is providing for her family by staying home with her children or by spending time in an office or through working a side gig.

Ultimately, motherhood — all Christian motherhood — is riding the waves that crash you into the rock of ages (Sadie Robertson, "Whoa That's Good" Podcast). I have come to know more of God and His character because of the joys and challenges that come with raising my daughter.

Notice that word? The waves. Yeah — motherhood comes with some rough waters from time-to-time. Christian mothers: let us come alongside one another in the quest to love and know God more. There’s no need to divide ourselves over features. After all, we are all working toward the same benefit.

It is my hope that through Heritage Homes, I’m stewarding my features well while cheering for all of us to get to the ultimate benefit — eternity with our savior in heaven.

Like I said, am sure you didn't think you'd be coming to a home decor and styling site for motherhood content. But hey, I am glad you're here.

So back to the home decor: I believe my daughter will be shaped by the conversations sparked from her home being decorated with memories; stories steeped in men and women who came before her who were pillars of faith and people I hope she mirrors in her life. Let me help you do the same for your home.