It's an innocent enough question, kind of getting to know you blasé really, but today it rubbed me wrong. The conversation was with a very sweet pastor's wife who informed me that she was a stay at home mom. So, what do I do? I went for the short answer. I work at Vanderbilt. I schedule surgeries. She explained how she had worked and her previous jobs. In my head I was starting to think of all the jobs that I have right now.
I'm a full-time Mom, yes, I work outside of my home as well, but mothering is a full-time job. I'm also a full-time Dad since covenant was broken, making me the sole provider. So, as a full-time provider I work at Vanderbilt, and as a part-time provider (which most households have 2 incomes, somehow) I also have a part-time direct sales business called Itworks! (my website: www.dunwandryn2.com). Both paying jobs I love. Vanderbilt for the stability and Itworks! for the creative spark it's giving me and the hope of getting away from corporate work.
I adore being a full-time Mom, THAT is my favorite job. Seriously, have you met Ethan? He's a great kid, puts away the dishes and takes out the trash, has even gotten into mopping the floor. He can tell you information about Marvel and DC Comics that you never knew existed, great at puzzles, board games, and currently building a Lego prison. Really in love with my mom-job.
So, what do you do? Huh! I'm the honey on the honey-do list, the constant conversation with myself about the bills, the house, the car. I'm a Mom, dad, co-worker, sales marketer, friend, sister, aunt. None of those things explain who I am, not fully.
See, I am the daughter of THE I AM! I am severely loved by the Creator of love. Nothing that I do or fail at matters to the value that has already been put on my life. I am so valued that blood was given up just so I would have a chance of experiencing love.
Sometimes the question: What do you do? feels like it diminishes the person to a worth by our title or position. As a single mom, I feel like I'm not as productive/valued as I could be with a partner so the question just grates me. That's until I remember the answer to this one: To Whom do you belong? Working on belonging.
Crumb Cake Recipe:
2 butter cake box mixes, Kroger has them for $1 each!
1 1/2 cups of your favorite fruit, plums, blueberries, rhubarb, strawberries, all good
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup soft butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
First box mix, follow directions on box grease jelly roll pan and bake 350 oven until browned. Once out of the oven, cool and cut in squares, add to bowl with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Try to resist eating it!
Second box mix, follow directions on box, grease a 9x13" pan, pour in cake, top with fruit, then top with the first cake crumb mix.
Bake 350 oven until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Once cooled sprinkle with powdered sugar, slice and enjoy with some friends.
Yes, it's not healthy, but if you love butter, come on!
