File copy: A group of mothers

Dr Nwogo Ekpunobi, a retired Public Servant, has called on women to work to support their husbands, saying “it is God’s purpose for them to work.”

Ekpunobi made this call in his sermon during the Mothers Day Service on the Topic “The Working Woman’’ at the Basilica of Grace Anglican Church, Apo, on Sunday in Abuja ‎.

She, however, said their work must not be at the detriment of their homes.

The speaker encouraged women to be like the virtuous woman recorded in the Bible, who was a balanced woman.

“Women were created in the image of God and working is God’s purpose for your life as we see in the Bible.

“As a woman we must find something to do to support our husbands, especially in these times,” she said.

Ekpunobi noted that being a working woman could be stressful because of the need to satisfy both the home and the work front.

She, however, said there were both positive and negative consequences of being a working woman.

Ekpunobi listed some negative consequences to include: neglect of the home, husband, children and neglect of self.

“Some women do not know what is happening in their homes, they leave their children at the mercy of house-helps who do not know better.

“Women also neglect themselves because they are so busy at work and at home, they do not have time to rest and take care of themselves and this can lead to ill health.”

She said that to avoid these negative consequences, balance was key and women must remember that their homes were their first priority.

Ekpunobi said that balance could be achieved by having a close relationship with God who had promised in the Bible that “we can do all things through Him that strengths us.”

She added that mothers must spend quality time with their children, teach and lead them in the ways of God so that the world does not corrupt them.

“Mothers must censor what their children watch and read and they must inculcate the fear of God in them.

Ekpunobi appealed to women to take care of their health by resting well, eating good food and going for regular medical checkup.

She advised working women not to get involved in sharp practices in their offices even though you would be referred to as `holier than thou’.

The speaker urged business women to shun cheating of their customers, saying that they should remember God is watching and they will give account one day.

Ekpunobi specially urged husbands to support their wives and assist them at home.

She urged women to accept Christ into their lives and family, saying that a wise woman builds her home while a foolish one destroys it.

(NAN)