Jenny Oaks Baker, a dazzling and well accomplished violinist and daughter of apostle Dallin H. Oaks, shares a heart warming testimony about giving up her career as a professional violinist to be a full-time mother to her four children. Though Oaks' decision led to a difficult sacrifice, it forever changed her life, strengthened her testimony in God and ultimately led her to continue to share her talent in unexpected ways.
If you've never heard Jenny Oaks Baker before, I highly recommend her newest album, Wish Upon a Star. It was released in May 2011 as a tribute to Walt Disney and the classic music in some of his most popular, cherished films. Oaks' amazing talent is motivational, even inspiring. Her tone is graceful and her passion unmistakable. The album is a MUST HAVE.
+++++++
I'm particularly touched by Oaks' testimony because I'm currently struggling to figure out how a woman can honestly and effectively intertwine her personal ambitions and her family dreams (assuming they are separate). At times, I wonder if the union is even possible. People so easily look at women in the workforce and assume they've decided the "wrong" route as a mother--that she can't possibly raise righteous children and pursue her passions. People say a woman's interests should be solely centered on her children. On cooking, cleaning, running errands and writing checks to piano teachers. She should be committed to 100% visting teaching and relief society, while also fully supporting her husband in all his endeavors.
I don't know about anyone else, but I get a little weary of all the shoulding that goes on in our society.
While I have a strong testimony of the roll of women in the home (which includes nurturing and caring for her children and husband), of Relief Society responsibilities and all other womanly duties, I wonder sometimes if women really do have to follow the cookie cutter image we so quickly impose upon them. I believe there are lots of ways women can nurture and raise righteous children. There is not just one solution to becoming the women God wants us to be. For instance, Sister Baker's path to perfection has included pursuing her talent as a violinist and choosing full-time motherhood over a glamorous career--and still taking advantage of the opportunities to play her music (that's not exactly "typical"). It is likely that in order to accomplish this goal, she is practicing many hours each week. Some women might look at Sister Oaks and wonder when she makes time to do her dishes, mow her lawn and help her children with all their homework. Obviously, I don't have any idea how she divides her time, but I'm willing to bet the role she is playing in her children's lives is special and unique, just like every other mother on this earth. For proof, watch the video posted below:
I can see how Oaks' decision to leave her prestigious career and be at home at all times with her children would have been extremely difficult, but I think what is inspiring is that she--in the end--decided to do what she felt was the right thing to do. Not what people told her she should do. But what she felt, in her heart, was God's plan for her. Because in the end that is what matters. Following God's will in our individual trek is what matters.
I think what I'm really trying to get at is the simple principle of sacrifice. That idea of knowing what God has asked me to do (or prompted me to do) and then showing faith by following that prompting because I care more about pleasing Him than anyone else. In truth, I struggle with this concept--particularly when it comes to getting married vs. pursuing every other option on the planet. I'm so worried that when/if I get married my identity will be lost, my interests will become obsolete to my husband and children, and I'll end up a frazzled, burnt out housewife who only knows how to operate on auto pilot: no passion, no charisma, no light. I pray the Lord will inspire me and bless me with opportunities to use my talents and interests to teach my children. To enliven their minds and inspire them to develop their spirituality so that they in turn will seek God's will for their kingdom building duties. I hope I can be like Jenny Oaks Baker--a woman of faith who worked diligently to build her talents and then demonstrated her love for God by willingly giving up her plans for something she felt was of greater worth. If that's not an Abrahamic sacrifice I'm not sure what is. Her experience is most definitely a testimony of God's love, because in the end, the Lord opened up opportunities for Sister Oaks to be the stay-at-home mother she really did want to be and to continue building the kingdom with her music.
I don't know what God's plan is for me. I don't know what success he will bless me with, if he'll ask me to give it up, etc. I just don't know all the details right now. Maybe I'll never get married and I'll have to learn my life lessons as a single woman. The options are endless...I guess the important thing to focus on is that I don't need all the answers right now; and should the time ever come when I have to choose between a career and full-time family, I hope I will follow the example of Jenny Oaks Bake by trusting in the Lord and doing what feels like the right thing to do--no matter how hard the sacrifice may seem.
OK, that's enough ranting...just listen to the CD :-)
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