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Back to school! That phrase stirs up all kinds of memories. There is the excitement of a new school year, new clothes and supplies, a new teacher, seeing old friends and making new ones.

It can also bring anxiety, especially for moms. Will my child adjust well to a new teacher, a new school, harder academics, or new friends? Then we are bombarded with “volunteer opportunities” at school—room mother, etc.

Next, we go to church and there are sign-ups for nursery duty, Sunday school teachers, and Bible study, not to mention our exercise classes, and more. We pull into the driveway to face a stack of laundry, dirty bathrooms, and a hungry family. There is a stack of bills in the mailbox, and we wonder if we should get a job outside the home.

So many choices! How does a mom decide when to say “yes” and when to say “no”?

First, pray over each opportunity. Then ask yourself these questions:

First, will this job/activity build up my home or tear it down? It is important to evaluate this potential job/activity in light of your three priorities.

  • God. Will I have enough time to spend alone with God in intimate fellowship each day?
  • Husband. Will I have enough time to nurture my marriage and keep my husband my second priority?
  • Children. Will I have the right amount of time of mother-presence and mother-comfort in the home for each child?

Second, will I be able to do this job/activity in the name of Jesus and to the glory of God? Would Jesus do this if He were me? Am I doing this out of my needs and wants, or for the good of my family? Is this job/activity making me so over-committed that I am not an effective mother/wife at home?

Third, do I have the approval of my husband? There is tremendous freedom in asking your husband before agreeing to any commitment. God has given him great insight to the overall needs of the family and your stress level in the home. If he agrees to you taking this job/activity, he is committing to it for the family and agreeing to help in stressful times.

If you are single, ask a trusted family member or friend to help you evaluate and make a decision on your activities.

Over the years, I have learned that when the phone rings and someone asks me to do a job, it is best to say, “Thank you for asking. I will pray about it and talk it over with my husband, then call you back.” That totally frees me up of the anxiety of making that decision at that moment.

It is easier to say “no” than to call later and quit or, worse yet, do a bad job.

Mommies, have a wonderful autumn as you serve the Lord at home, school, work, and church!