The Ups and Downs of Full-Time Working Life

Another question I had last week was this: what was it like to work outside the home again after staying at home for so many years? Great question! It was exactly what I expected it to be - a blend of wonderful and difficult.

Let's talk about the good stuff first, shall we?

* It was wonderful to have a fresh sense of purpose.

I've read before about stay-at-home moms struggling to feel like they have a sense of purpose. While we don't have kids, I will say that being a stay-at-home wife can provide that same struggle. My work at home carried a work component, with writing and speaking, but I was first and foremost a wife and keeper of our home. I loved it in ways that are probably a whole separate post, but there absolutely were days when I felt like my reach was very small. Working outside the home gave me the opportunity to have a fresh sense of purpose, and I enjoyed the chance to serve!

* I appreciated the chance to contribute financially to our family.

Ryan carries a heavy load as sole financial provider, and he never complains about it for a moment. We were doing fine as a single-income family, but even this little steady stream of income provided an bit of exhale for us, and I loved that. I haven't been the breadwinner by a long shot, but I've been able to add to the bank account, and that has made me exceedingly happy.

* It has been fun to have co-workers and be part of a team again.

I'm a great solo worker, which is something that not everyone thrives on, I know. I really enjoy launching into a project on my own and being able to accomplish much in a short time. But it's also been fun to be part of a team again, with co-workers (even when they tease me) and inside jokes and stories at the end of the day. Braeya, bless her heart, is cute, but she doesn't provide the best end-of-the-day stories for Ryan.

* The people...I've grown so attached to the people.

We attend a fairly large church, so even though we've been there for a while, I still didn't know MANY of the people. Working at the front desk has given me the opportunity to meet so many more people. I learned more than names. I learned the people themselves and the stories. This is one of the things I'll miss most when I leave!


But of course, there have been a few hard parts.

* I haven't been able to put my full effort into my main ministries.

Small groups and women's ministry have been my main passion and job, but I wasn't able to give them as much attention while working behind the front desk all day every day. I've tried my very best to give them my best effort in the meantime, but I've missed the chance to give them my all!

* It took me a while to find my balancing act.

I'd done it before. I knew I could do it again. It's like riding a bike, right? But it took me a few weeks to figure out how to squeeze in the cooking, the housework, the exercise, the study time...while spending so many hours outside the home. I finally had to learn to do it one project at a time, and I've gotten much better at it over the course of the job. But those first few weeks were a stretching exercise for sure!

* I missed my extensive Bible study time.

Prior to going back to work, I'd been taking daily online Bible classes, but I just couldn't continue that and work full time. I miss my classes and all I'd been learning. I definitely hope to return to those, even if I end up ultimately working more outside the home.

* I didn't get to see Ryan.

We definitely got spoiled in those at-home years, seeing one another regularly throughout the day. I missed being able to see him at-will throughout each day. He surprised me by showing up at the church for lunch a few times, which I loved. And we spent most of our lunch hours on the phone, which definitely helped! But I missed him.

So those were my ups and downs! Everything good has a little give and take in it. I am still grateful for the chance I had to be part of something special. Trusting God to open the right doors in the future!