Encouragement For A Christian Mom Going Back To Work

I would like to share my personal story with you. 

I had the wonderful opportunity to stay home for 6 months when my daughter was born.  I realize this is much more time than many of the mothers in the United States get to have.  For you mommas who have to go back to work sooner, I commend you.  

From the very first day my daughter was born, I dreaded going back to work.

The thought of “leaving” my baby terrified me.

In hindsight, I so wish I wouldn’t have worried about that.

I wish I would have enjoyed the present moment more, and not have been concerned about the future.

But regardless, every single day of my maternity leave I dreaded the day that my “time with her would end.”

And that brings me to my first point of encouragement to you.

Going back to work does not mean that your time has ended with your baby.

1. Be More Intentional With Your Time

Sweet mama, your time doesn’t end!

Your time doesn’t end with your baby just because you go to work.

 Your baby is still your baby, and always will be.

It might mean you no longer spend every waking second with your child, but it does NOT mean your “time has ended.”

I repeat: YOUR TIME HAS NOT ENDED. It has just changed!

I pray this realization brings you some comfort as you transition into working motherhood.

When I did go back to work, the time I did spend with my daughter was even sweeter than before! I was able to be more intentional with my time. You can do the same!

2. Approach Working Motherhood without Complaint

The weeks that led up to me returning back to work, there was a verse that came to my heart.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you.  Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

Philippians 2:14-16

The first part of the verse, really struck a chord with me– “do everything without complaining.”

I decided to approach my life as a working mom without complaint. Have you tried this?

Instead of wishing you weren’t a working mother, approach life with a heart of thanks. You have something many people are still praying for.

A child.

A job.

Provision.

This approach to your life will be life changing. It will make your transition into working motherhood more seamless that you ever thought possible.

I urge you to try it!

3. Live In The Grace of Each Day

I will be honest with you, as I tried to approach life with complaining, I often failed.

BUT my failure aside,  I realized that just simply being intentional about not complaining changed my outlook on life, my attitude, and my demeanor.

I also found out how to live in the grace of each and every day.

There is grace, upon grace, upon grace.

Grace for myself for messing up.

Grace for another chance the next day.

His mercies are new every morning!

Even when I slipped up, and complained about something, I didn’t let that cause me to give up. I strived to continue to “do everything without complaining.”  

I wasn’t going to let the enemy slip in my mind, whispers things such as:

“Oh you messed up, why bother–you can’t even reach your own goals!”

No. I accepted grace.

I accepted I am not perfect, but would still to strive to be like Christ.

4. Have A Heart of Thankfulness

It could have been easy for me to complain and wish my maternity leave wasn’t going to end. But how could I not be thankful for all of the amazing blessings God had already given me. He has given me my sweet child, and I get to be her momma.

I do miss my baby during the day. I am not here to say that you won’t and that it won’t be hard or an adjustment.

But I am telling you that it’s powerful if you don’t dwell on it and or pity yourself.

I have a beautiful family and a Savior who loves me more than I could ever comprehend.

How much more do I need?  

There are literally moms who are living in 3rd world countries, who are up at night worried  if their baby is going to make it throughout the night.  

How silly would it be for me to complain!

“Oh, woe is me I have to get up and go to work today.”

No.  

“Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

The LORD is with you, and will be with you in this season. I challenge you to be intentional about not complaining. I challenge you to pray and ask for a heart of thankfulness. In your prayers, thank God for what he has already done. Thank him for his salvation alone. Pray and ask for strength and energy as you work. 

Wait and see what the Lord does!