Stay At Home Moms/Mums Are My Heroes

I had the great fortune of being hosted by three different families during my recent trip to the USA. In a world that seems to have gone totally mad, I have found some oases out there. They are the households of true Christian families, and these are households that run largely on the labor of stay at home mums (that's moms for you Americans who can't spell).

Though it is an occupation of ridicule among feminists and social engineers, it is a pursuit that exceeds the demands of "higher education", is way more important than any other career, requires skills beyond any rocket scientist, greater sacrifice than any political office, and a lot more intelligence than any social worker. These women are the true heroes rising above the ashes of "feminist utopia". The guys from Go Fish might not be able to spell mum correctly but they do get it right when they say that it's the most important job in the world . . .



So to Laura, Susan, and Chelsea - I cannot thank you enough for going the extra mile for me when I stayed in your homes. You all have full plates as it is and I am truly humbled by the kindness, selflessness, and amazing hospitality you all extended towards me. Your amazing children shine in a dark world as a testimony of your godliness and discipling. You've all chosen the narrow road that requires sacrifice but also yields the greatest rewards as you nurture a new generation of Christian missionaries. It is also the career for women that God is most pleased with due to it's alignment to His plans and purposes . . .

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:3-5).

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:10-31)

And finally, the even greater blessing in my life! God, in His immense kindness, granted me a wife, who surpasses anything I could have hoped for, and goes way beyond any blessing that I never deserved. To my darling Mrs Buettel - thank you so much for your constant integrity, support, and selflessness. I am already seeing real dividends from your immense investment in our three children. How could I ever thank you for your Christ-like love that hides my failures and makes me honorable among my peers. The favor I gain from being the husband of you is a revelation of what grace really means - undeserved favor.

My words fall short of doing justice to the labor of these amazing women. Nevertheless - to all you stay at home mums out there, especially Laura, Susan, and Chelsea, and none more so than my gorgeous wife - you are all true heroes, missionaries, and world changers. The Bottom Line salutes you!