End of an era

Some little while ago, I posted about becoming a professional wife and mother.
Today, was my last day at work-a bitter-sweet time. Sadness of saying farewell to great colleagues, many of whom I have worked with for over a decade, and of leaving a job which is useful and stimulating. To be honest, I will probably miss the status. What will I call myself now? Domestic engineer sounds too cut and dry. Homemaker-maybe but this doesn't put enough emphasis on the people. Wife and mother is about right although I doubt this is on any official forms.

I realised, listening to the radio, that I am now classed as "economically inactive". Complete fallacy. What wife and mother doesn't determine how far the money goes? The woman in Proverbs 31 wasn't economically inactive so my aim isn't to be economically inactive either.

It is easy to get all this reflection on change out of context. Psalm 90 is a great antidote. I love Isaac Watt's verses on this.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home;

Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thy arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou are God,
To endless years the same.

Thy word commands our flesh to dust,
"Return, ye sons of men";
All nations rose from dust at first,
And turn to earth again.

A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by thy flood,
And lost in following years.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They lie forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the openning day.

Like flowery fields the nations stand,
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower's hand
Lie withering e'er 'tis night.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thous our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home.