Trending Christian Blog and Commentary

Act now to share the love of Christ in the Middle East

Why is the Church Treating Working Motherhood Like a Sin?

  • Carrie Dedrick What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and in social media today?
  • Updated Jan 29, 2016

This is not just a blog for working moms. This isn’t even just a blog for moms, or even women for that matter. This blog is for everyone, male or female, married or single, parent or childless who has an opinion about working moms. 

Working moms have cried out in hurt and despair. They have been burned by judgment of others who did not care to understand their individual situations. They have been told that they are damaging their children by leaving them in childcare and that they are missing precious moments of their children’s lives. They have lived in guilt and fear. Worst of all, Christians have stood by and let this happen, sometimes partaking in the criticism themselves. 

Author and speaker Lisa Jo Baker says it is time for the attacks to end. In the blog “Dear Church, If There was One Thing I Could Tell You About Working Moms, This Would be It,” Baker writes that Christians need to be encouragers of all moms. 

Here’s the truth: Some moms must work to provide for their families. They may carry the family’s insurance or two incomes might be necessary to pay the bills in the household. Many working moms (8.6 million) are single mothers. 

Others are called to work. Baker said, “Some women love the work that they have been called into and equally love the children God has given them… And seek to glorify both for His kingdom.” 

Working moms love their children. Many also love their careers. But, as Baker says, moms should not be “defined either by our business cards or our children.” 

“Instead, I am convinced that we are defined by the God who has ransomed us, redeemed us and placed His own calling on our lives.” 

We should be celebrating the families that God has gifted to us, not tearing them down. 

When we encounter a tired mom, whether she works part-time, full-time, or stays at home, it is our responsibility as ambassadors of Jesus Christ is to lift her up. 

Baker suggests asking the following questions: 

1. How can I know you? 

2. How can I relate to you? 

And most importantly: 

3. How can I care for you?

Working moms and all moms, we support you. We are praying for you as you follow God’s call to raise a family in a turbulent world. 

May you remember this wise advice from Crosswalk.com writer Cortni Marrazzo as you are pulled in the many directions of motherhood: Allow God to be the perfect parent that you can’t.

“At the end of the day, working mom or not, we all are going to fall short of perfection in our lives because we are simply human. This is why God gives us His incredible grace,” Marrazzo wrote. 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Carrie Dedrick is the Family Editor for Crosswalk.com.

Publication date: January 29, 2016