By Crystal Navarro
For the past 17 years I have embraced being a full-time stay at home mom. A homemaker. Making a home. Loving my husband. Raising babies. Learning with my children. Growing in my faith. Leaning into obedience. Developing a servant’s heart for the family God has given me.
Now, as my eldest child is becoming an adult and looking toward his own future, I take this moment to pause and reflect on these past two decades. Nothing has really gone according to my plans, yet everything is as it should be. I can’t imagine the life of being torn into a million pieces chasing career dreams while simultaneously grasping for precious moments with these five incredible human beings who look to me and their dad for constant guidance, love, support, and affection.
Today was a non-typical moment of quietude as we had out of town friends keeping my youngest boy’s attention. As I mused at the absence of constant activity normally occupying my full days of life as a full-time wife and mother, I am perfectly content. I am gratefully awestruck at what God has done. Who He has allowed me to be. What a gift!
Too often I viewed this precious gift as a chore. As something I had to do simply because no one else was willing or able. Or because daycare was too expensive, or traditional school choices too taxing, or extended family members too busy and uninterested. All those circumstances seemingly burdensome or unfair were really God’s grace leading my husband and I to simply do what all parents are called to: to put their family above worldly pursuits. To look heavenward. To elevate our minds on things to come.
Nearly two decades in to embracing my true calling as a full-time wife and mother God is already allowing me to glean fruit. The relationship I have with my husband and children is more than I could have ever hoped for. Getting to know each of these six men in my life. Loving them. Nurturing them. Feeding them. Pushing them to be real men. Encouraging them to pursue righteousness above all else. Listening to their hopes, their fears, their aspirations, and knowing what each of them are truly passionate about fills my cup like nothing I ever thought possible.
The world wants to steal this from us mothers! The world wants us to not know our own children. To not know how to help them. Guide them. Love them and even discipline them. Each child is so unique. There is no formula. Each relationship is special and requires careful attention to detail. Everyone is their own study. Everyone matters for their own sake.
We all come into this world with our own God-given talents and abilities. It’s up to intentionally dedicated mothers to slowly unwrap each little person who is gifted into their arms. Husbands are called to provide and protect in such a manner that they set their wives up for success. Thankfully, my husband has gone above and beyond caring for our temporal needs so that I can focus all my attention on creating a space, a faith-filled welcoming home, offering love and support to all who enter.
My heart is bursting in this moment of reflection with such gratitude to our Heavenly Father for granting this gift to me. Words fall short. And so, I will stop. The day is drawing to a close and I must go kiss little boys who have played hard and laughed long today. Thank you, Jesus. Thank You for the gift of being a homemaker in the year of our Lord . . . 2025.
CRYSTAL NAVARRO
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Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Picture: Jesse and Crystal with their sons:
Back row: Joey (17), Jeremiah (15),
Front row: twin brother Brick (9), Crosby (6), and twin brother Baylon (9).