I haven’t been an atheist, but I understand and commiserate with this post in every other way. If you are familiar with the blog Cheeseslave, this is Ann Marie, the author. We haven’t hit a million (yet), but we are familiar with the struggles and the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It’s hard to talk about, because there is so much judgment. There is so much judgment in the world already, right?! Some people are more comfortable with j-o-b-s; they are risk averse, and they want benefits and security.

Here’s the thing, though. That isn’t possible. Life is unpredictable. Things happen all the time that we haven’t accounted for and can’t stop from happening. Our kids are watching and learning through all of the journey that however wild the journey, they are our most important work. They also are learning that perseverance and self-reliance are necessary in this life whether they work for someone else or themselves. Even more important is the overwhelming knowledge that God is in control.

Honestly, it’s hard for me to share about this sometimes for several reasons. I don’t want to betray my family’s privacy. It’s also a subject that brings about an incredible amount of judgment (aka The Mommy Wars) now that I am actively working on my own projects. I say I could not possibly have had the brain power to do work-related things while my babies were small, but it’s not entirely true. I was fairly helpful from time to time with hubby’s business. We’re a family; it’s what you do. Now that I have grown kids, and kids with big eyes still watching, I realize keenly that they are entering a world that is unlike the world I lived in at the end of the 80s. There are so many real opportunities to not only make a living but to serve others while doing so. Win-win!

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

Steve Jobs

Being innovative, flexible, and faithful, using the gifts that God gave us, and helping other people to improve their lives physically, financially, and, most important, spiritually is absolutely part of the great commission. As homeschoolers, especially, we need to think about modeling to our kids other ways to make it possible to share life with their kids without being shackled to a j-o-b that doesn’t serve their families.

Have you thought about this? If you have, what are you doing to relay this message to your kids? If you haven’t, what do you think now?