Balancing work and family
Reading: Judges 4:1-5
“... Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth ... invited us ...
‘Come and stay at my house’ ” (Acts 16:13-15)
We read of midwives, tabernacle women workers, a Judge, Queens, Palace women staff and other women holding jobs like Lydia (Acts 16:14,15). Now it is becoming the culture. So let’s see how we can balance a job and family —
1. Maximise your day. Relaxing is also part of using time. Learn to be quick, walk fast, cook fast, wash vessels as you cook. But be slow with husband and children. If you cannot sleep, get up and work.
2. Do not take up extra commitments. Religious meetings, marriages, helping others are all extra. Don’t feel guilty to say, ‘No.’ Don’t be unwise. Find God’s will for other activities (Eph 5:17).
3. Expect family to help. Train them. Though difficult, later on children will thank you for the training (Prov 31:28). As the eagle trains her chicks to fly, teach them responsibilities (Dt 32:11).
4. Hire extra help (Prov 31:15). Interview and take. Have an eye on them. Parents or in-laws can be of great help. Some adjustments need to be made but atleast children are safe. Good neighbours can pitch in. Have friends with whom you can leave the children.
5. Keep in touch. A phone call during lunchtime to your husband helps. Make children and family feel connected.
6. Use interval times. Don’t waste your energy in idle talk or wandering. Preservation of energy is very important for working women. Take a nap and feel refreshed.
7. Relax on off days. Again don’t take up a strenuous work. Keep it for cooking, family, outing, eating out, sleeping, hobby, T.V. etc. Don’t be stingy. Spend money and enjoy life (1 Tim 6:17).
8. Be a good wife and mother (Prov 31:27,28). Learn to relax with your husband. Don’t think of the next day and worry. Live one day at a time. Don’t bring office worries home.
9. Don’t neglect yourself. Eat well. Take time to read the Bible and pray. Attend church as a family. Pregnancy, delivery and sicknesses are temporary phases of life. Have at least two children.
10. Don’t change your priorities. It is always: God first, family next and work (or ministry) third. But family should not be an excuse for shoddy work or late arrival for duty.
Some hints: Cook extra and put in the freezer. Have three or four pressure cookers and a 4-burner stove. Plan the next day. All the modern gadgets and readymade masalas make life easy.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Balancing work and family
Reading: Judges 4:1-5
“... Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth ... invited us ...
‘Come and stay at my house’ ” (Acts 16:13-15)
We read of midwives, tabernacle women workers, a Judge, Queens, Palace women staff and other women holding jobs like Lydia (Acts 16:14,15). Now it is becoming the culture. So let’s see how we can balance a job and family —
1. Maximise your day. Relaxing is also part of using time. Learn to be quick, walk fast, cook fast, wash vessels as you cook. But be slow with husband and children. If you cannot sleep, get up and work.
2. Do not take up extra commitments. Religious meetings, marriages, helping others are all extra. Don’t feel guilty to say, ‘No.’ Don’t be unwise. Find God’s will for other activities (Eph 5:17).
3. Expect family to help. Train them. Though difficult, later on children will thank you for the training (Prov 31:28). As the eagle trains her chicks to fly, teach them responsibilities (Dt 32:11).
4. Hire extra help (Prov 31:15). Interview and take. Have an eye on them. Parents or in-laws can be of great help. Some adjustments need to be made but atleast children are safe. Good neighbours can pitch in. Have friends with whom you can leave the children.
5. Keep in touch. A phone call during lunchtime to your husband helps. Make children and family feel connected.
6. Use interval times. Don’t waste your energy in idle talk or wandering. Preservation of energy is very important for working women. Take a nap and feel refreshed.
7. Relax on off days. Again don’t take up a strenuous work. Keep it for cooking, family, outing, eating out, sleeping, hobby, T.V. etc. Don’t be stingy. Spend money and enjoy life (1 Tim 6:17).
8. Be a good wife and mother (Prov 31:27,28). Learn to relax with your husband. Don’t think of the next day and worry. Live one day at a time. Don’t bring office worries home.
9. Don’t neglect yourself. Eat well. Take time to read the Bible and pray. Attend church as a family. Pregnancy, delivery and sicknesses are temporary phases of life. Have at least two children.
10. Don’t change your priorities. It is always: God first, family next and work (or ministry) third. But family should not be an excuse for shoddy work or late arrival for duty.
Some hints: Cook extra and put in the freezer. Have three or four pressure cookers and a 4-burner stove. Plan the next day. All the modern gadgets and readymade masalas make life easy.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
