We've all heard it. Maybe you have even said it. "I wanted to go back to work because I just really needed the adult
interaction." Or "adult interaction is really good for me." I'll
admit, when I worked full time and before I became a mother, I was worried I
too would be one of these "adult interaction" types. I had been
working since I was 15 years old, so I was concerned I would miss “going to
work” each day.
When I was working I
enjoyed most all of my co-workers. Although we all worked independently in the
field most days, we would also ride along together or communicate by phone or
email on a fairly regular basis. I talked with one co-worker in particular almost
every day. I enjoyed her company and thought we'd keep in touch (as much as you
can with a newborn baby!) after I left. She called me one day about a month
after I'd quit. I couldn't believe how negative she was about her job and life
in general. I couldn't wait to get off the phone with her...luckily my sweet
baby started crying, so I had an excuse to cut the conversation short!
Ha!
What had changed? I
used to enjoy talking with her. It wasn't her that had changed. It was me. When
I was working I was surrounded by complainers and negative people. I didn't
realize how infectious bad attitudes are! I became so calloused to the problem
that I didn't even realize it was a problem! After I left I
was suddenly only surrounded by my family, my church family, and my friends;
people that are loving, encouraging, and positive. I'm no longer thrown into
the world and all of its negativity on a daily basis. I don’t want or need the
world’s “adult interaction.” I want the kind that encourages me as a mother,
wife, and helps me walk closer to Christ.
While it may be true
that my voice is constantly more high pitched now from babbling with my baby
and I don't have lunch breaks with friends or co-workers (some days I'm lucky
to get lunch at all!) anymore, now I get to choose the type of adult
interaction I want. Now it's easier to create a warmer, more welcoming,
Christian home for my husband to come home to each night. And this makes
reason number 348 that I love being a mom!
