As someone who has transited from full-time work to being a stay-at-home mum (SAHM), to being back in the workforce, Tan Hwee Leng hopes her experience will encourage fellow SAHMs to trust in God’s provision and timing.

Dear Stay-at-Home Mum,

I’m sure you’re familiar with the range of emotions associated with leaving your full-time job to be a SAHM: anxiety over losing your income, misgivings about surviving on one salary, and the grief of letting go of your identity as a working professional.

I’ve been there, too.

As much as making the decision was daunting, for me at least, it had to be made. The demands of work in market research were overwhelming, and the balancing act of managing a family at the same time took a toll on my health. The compounding stress left me constantly sick.

I felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit to step back and prioritise caring for my children and husband. Despite the uncertainty of leaving behind my financial independence and professional identity, I trusted in God to provide for our needs.

Those years as a stay-at-home mum were some of the most fulfilling times of my life. And I hope that you, being in this phase now, can say the same. Despite living on a single income, my family learnt the meaning of contentment. I saw my kids grow up, my health improved, and the family spent quality time together.

It was a season marked by God’s provision, and He never short-changed us. We could echo the words of the psalmist: “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).

Perhaps—like me at one point—you’re starting to think about returning to work. When my children transitioned to secondary school, I felt the stirrings of that season approaching. So, after seven years, I decided it was time.

But it was a decision that also filled me with questions:

What should I do? I didn’t want to go back to my previous industry, where burnout was common.

Am I still relevant? I lacked the confidence to return to the workforce after being away for so long.

How should I start? I wasn’t even sure where to look or what exactly to look for.

But one thing that I did know: God determines our seasons and boundaries (Acts 17:26). And so, I asked the One who had shepherded and sustained me as a SAHM.

With time, the questions found their answers. As I sought God’s directions on which industry to work in, I visited a government career guidance platform, where God provided helpful advisors. For a start, I narrowed my preferred fields down to recruitment, and data analytics, which required me to upgrade my skills.

Praying also develops patience and courage (Psalm 27:14). After many months of praying, God opened a door for me when a headhunter approached me after seeing my LinkedIn profile. The recruiter felt I had the relevant skills from my previous industry to do the job. With joy and gratitude, I made the move to become a headhunter for C-suites, or top management positions, in 2020.

By God’s grace, my compensation was similar to what I used to receive before I stopped work—despite having no prior experience in the headhunting field. My employer even gave me the flexibility to go home early so that I could cook dinner for my family. This eased my family’s adjustment to my return to work.

Also, God knew my insecurities and concerns about rejoining the workforce, and placed me in a company where I could adapt at my own pace. The job trained me to interact with people and oiled my rusty mind to think faster. I even had a big boss who exemplified and encouraged work-life balance and how to be a good leader.

Recounting such favour with God and man leaves me in awe. I can only say I’m a recipient of His grace.

It wasn’t just this first step of transition that enabled me to experience and attest to God's goodness. Like many office workers, I was confined to working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. I saw it as a blessing, as I could care for my kids during the lockdown. Despite the many changes in family and school life, I flourished at work and my daughter excelled in her O-Levels.

However, the pandemic hurt the headhunting business, and despite my good performance, it was clear there was not going to be much progression. Again, I asked God to lead me to the next place in my working life.

I then chanced upon a six-month data analytics course by a reputable consultancy company, and after praying about it, I applied for it. After clearing the entrance test and interviews, I quit my headhunting job to embark on upskilling myself in data analytics.

While the course opened my eyes to many new things, it was difficult for me as a mid-career professional to find a data analytics role.

I think God had always known my weakness in resume writing and job hunting on my own. This time, another headhunter approached me to go back to the market research industry. The job required market research experience, but also came with work related to data analytics. I accepted the offer.

As my roles evolved from worker to SAHM to worker again, then to student and worker, I found my anchor in my identity in Christ.

In these times of change, you, too, can find stability in who God says you are.

Once again, God graciously provided a nurturing work environment. In my current workplace, the work can be challenging and sometimes, I feel stressed and uncertain of my abilities. But leaning on who God is and how He has shown himself to be so faithful, I remind myself of His promises, such as Philippians 4:6 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Most recently, I completed a part-time post-graduate course in data science. I applied for roles related to this area, but my applications were unsuccessful. As Proverbs 13:12 says, “hope deferred makes the heart sick”. Having a dream yet to be realised made me feel demoralised and disappointed.

Yet, instead of me focusing on what I do not yet have, God has enabled me to see His good plans. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). He gave me opportunities to prove myself at work and receive recognition from my management team. I was also promoted. Even in disappointment, God continues to be gracious to me.

In different seasons and stages of life, God places His children where He deems fit for our transformation and ministry. His blessings enable us to abound with every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). As we get equipped and await His next assignment, I pray that we will trust His better plans and step into the good works He has prepared (Ephesians 2:10).

To every stay-at-home mum considering re-entering the workforce, I encourage you to trust in God's provision and timing. He knows your needs and desires better than you do. When it’s time, step out in faith, knowing that He is with you every step of the way.

Cheering you on,

Hwee Leng

Adapted with permission from Toa Payoh Methodist Church. Original content written by Xu Wenshan.