Anne laughed at her old friend. “I do get stressed out sometimes, but I enjoy it too. I believe the Lord wants me to be home with them. And watching them grow and develop is rewarding.”

“But what about that ambitious woman I knew in college? Didn’t you say you’d always have a career, that you wouldn’t let kids slow you down?”

“I didn’t know then that being a stay-at-home mom would be the best career move I could ever make.”

“Do you think every mom should do that?” Marla asked. “What about moms who have to work to survive?”

“I know a lot of moms have to work. I know others just want a career. And I believe God honors that,” Anne said. “All I’m saying is that even if a mom works, she needs to figure out how to keep her family her top priority. She needs to ask the Lord for help with that.” She paused, listening to tiny voices rising in the den. “Gotta go. Jeffrey and Katelyn are fighting.”

“And you’d rather referee them than climb the corporate ladder?”

“Any day of the week!”

A mother’s role is unique and important. Her love, training, and guidance can make her house a home. The way to accomplish that is to put her family at the top of her priorities, right after the Lord. He can give her the discernment she needs to make wise choices customized to fit her particular situation and the needs of her family.