I've held onto this devo for a while. I’m still sorting it out myself, but it’s time to bring yall into the fold. Why does the work we do at home matter so much and still feel so invisible?

This summer, I listened to The Women by Kristin Hannah. Early in the book, a mother writes to her daughter in 1965: "It must be nice to do something you feel is worthy. Taking care of a family and a home doesn't seem to be enough for your generation."

I stopped the audio, my mouth agape for mother and daughter alike.

When did raising good humans, caring for our homes, and making room for people around our tables become something less than worthy? Bless! Was it in 1965?

We fought so hard for women to have the freedom to work outside the home. Along the way, did we accidentally start treating work inside the home as less valuable?

At work, we get paid, thanked and even recognized when we do something well.

At home? We're lucky if the toddler doesn't scream because we peeled the banana the wrong way.

When I see a hateful comment online or a disrespectful person at the store, I should be thinking, "I'm raising kids who spread love." When I'm picking up colossal toy-explosions, I should be thinking, "I'm raising kids who feel safe."

But most days, I don't think any of those things. Mostly, I'm just tired…

So, here's where I'm really going with this: can we make a promise to each other, mamas? Let's celebrate the work we do at home for each other the way we celebrate each other at “the office.” And not just us, either!

- Tell a mom you see how hard she worked to bake that birthday cake and put up all those matching decorations (that'll be in the trash in 5 hours).
- Thank a dad for taking the baby outside when she starts a meltdown the second hot food hits the table.
- Remind a grandparent that running point on round-two of toddlerdom is priceless.

Let's be models of Christ’s love and service, sharing the work when we can, lifting each other up audibly, so our children, and their children, and their children, grow up knowing that the work of caring for each other is worthy, whether it comes with a paycheck, an applause or a 2×2 lego to the foot.

GO HOME TEAM!

Emily

P.S. Love Thy Neighbor (IYKYK Amen for TEXAS!!!)