Now I am paraphrasing the interaction but I thought this was a very poignant scene.  There is truth to be told in the young girl’s remark.  While the word slave is somewhat harsh, the truth is that we’re all striving after something.  We’re all guided by something.  We all want to achieve something, whether it’s the perfect job, salary, lifestyle, or even just be the perfect mother.

So many people and activities compete for our time these days.  Kids need rides to soccer practice.  Boss needs you to stay late a finish a report.  You’re finally getting that Master’s degree and have to spend several nights a week studying.  You’ve signed up as the chairperson for the local philanthropic organization.  It’s “girl’s night” and your friends are begging you to come out with them.  And at some point you are supposed to spend a little time with your husband (other than just to remind him to take out the garbage).

The notion of June Cleaver – a woman who stays at home and cooks and cleans all day – doesn’t really exist anymore.  Sure, there are women who are good at housekeeping and child-rearing.  But most wives also work outside the home, either by choice or out of necessity.  Some wives even divide their time between community organizations and continuing their own education.  And there’s always the need for “me time.”

Now these are not necessarily bad things.  In fact, things such as having a good job, being involved in community organizations, and motherhood are all very commendable.  However when too much importance is placed on such things, it can wreak havoc within a marriage.  We have all heard the stories of career women whose families have fallen apart because she is never home.  We’ve seen on television what a Sex and the City lifestyle can do to a married woman (this, actually, is an example of a not-so-good thing).  When we (as wives) pursue whatever is guiding us more than we invest in our marriage, the effects can be devastating.

So what is a 21st century woman to do?  How to we find the balance in the good things and keep a healthy marriage?  Is it possible to “have it all” as we’re told from the time we’re young girls?

Over the next few weeks we will discuss this topic and the things that vie for our attention as wives, and look together into how to achieve the balance of a flourishing marriage with our individual pursuits.