Thoughts and ponderings

Really do need to write more often. Life has become a crazy turmoil of thoughts and occurrences. The plant is what it is. Tom has a contract for 18-24 months. I know it is what he wanted. After that...who knows? I have a job, although it is fraught with problems. Another new principal, this brings the total for the school to 5 in 15 years. Two new assistant principals, I'm not even going to start thinking about how many that makes for the last 15 years. Life total of principals is now 12 and assistant principals has to be up to 25-30 now. More teachers coming and going at the school. More change and adjustments to the school. I know Tom has thought about getting a job back at 4&5. I don't feel that great about that choice. It would give him what he thinks he wants. He's also thinking it would allow him to retire in 10 or so years. He has said he would probably always work at something but with this county seemingly dying, what would he do? If we stayed, it would probably mean my having to stay at the school for at least 20-25 more years. I can't picture doing what I'm doing right now for that long. Job prospects in this area, especially in my field, are slim to non-existant. The project I've been quietly working on for the last 3-5 years doesn't seem to be making headway. There seems to constantly be things coming up to stand in the way. The area we were looking at is being hit by the recession and it seems to have finally settled in there. I have faith, but I'm also being realistic. Feeling like if we stay it will also mean staying in this house. It's an ok house. It isn't something Tom and I picked together, though. I would like something that fit our needs a bit better. It would also be a good thing to get away from the neighbors. Issues there continue. It seems they don't want us to leave the house. Just recently we learned they don't think we should walk our dog on the street. The harassment continues. Most recently we had to call the police...again. We learned they had lied about us...again. The sheriff sided with them! It seems they can do what they like and we are forced to tolerate it as best we can. Trying to sort through some odds and ends. Weird things keep popping up. Tired of feeling so tired all of the time. Tired of not being able to get the best sleep, either. Leaving for Phoenix in just over a week. Maybe a change of scenery is what I need to see things clearly.

Really need to post here more...

It's been over a year since I last posted here. Really need to get back into the habit of writing here. There is quite a bit going on and I 'need' a place to think things out.

Dum Dum devotion

I read this this morning. This is something I am really struggling with right now. Work is frustrating and so often it feels like I'm "going through the motions" down there. I'm exhausted and really don't understand why I am still at the school. There are students I like, there are teachers I like. Taken as a whole, though, it isn't the best environment. This school year has taken its toll on me. I feel worn down, weary, exhausted, burned out. For some reason, though, God is not done with me and with my job there...yet. There have been glimmers in the past. He does know what is best. He knows what I need. I know he is making my way perfect and will release me from that place when HIS timing is complete and perfect. In the mean time, my job is to serve Him. My job is to seek Him. My job is to live my life for Him. In doing my job to the best of my ability (and with a cheerful heart) is accepting the gift (the lollipop) he has given.

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Dum Dums

By Christine Hoover | Mar 26, 2012 04:00 am


My bank teller must be a dad.
Every time I go to the bank, he gives my children the exact same colored lollipops. I’ve never asked him to do this, but, without fail, he digs through the lollipop basket until he finds a matching set of Dum Dum lollipops.
He must be a dad because he knows about the fight he is saving me. The one where each of my boys are eyeing the lollipops they don't have rather than enjoying the one they do. The one where they whine for their favorite color. The one in which they are not satisfied until they have what their sibling has.
As I drive away from the bank’s drive-through window, I inwardly thank this man, and I think about this picture of human jealousy: envious, controlling, domineering, possessive, and self-focused.
God is a Dad, but he is not like my bank teller.
He gives lollipops out to everyone, but he does not give them equally or similarly. He gives them perfectly, however, and until we trust that, we’ll be dissatisfied with what we’ve been given.
As a Father, God knows his kids’ tendency to want what their siblings have. It's hard not wanting the bright pink lollipop when we’re given the brown one. But unlike our spiteful jealousy, God’s jealousy for us says, “I absolutely know what is best for you and I want you to have it. Because I love you, I will not give you anything less than my best. However, what I give you is going to be different than what I give that person you are comparing yourself to.” He lifts our eyes up to him and away from watching others and reminds us that he has perfectly and strategically given us our gifts, talents, and ministries.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God is always working things for good on our behalf:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
“What a power would be unleashed in your life and mind if we really believed that the almighty God, whose counsel cannot be frustrated, is this very minute, busily at work making sure that what happens to us this afternoon and tomorrow at home and at work is only what is best for us!"

Funny!

For today

How to Do the Job You Don't Really Want To Do

Certain aspects of the job the Lord has given me to do are very easy to postpone. I make excuses, find other things that take precedence, and, when I finally get down to business to do it, it is not always with much grace. A new perspective has helped me recently:

The job has been given to me to do.
Therefore it is a gift.
Therefore it is a privilege.
Therefore it is an offering I may make to God.
Therefore it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him.
Therefore it is the route to sanctity.

Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness. The discipline of this job is, in fact, the chisel God has chosen to shape me with--into the image of Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the work You have assigned me. I take it as your gift; I offer it back to you. With your help I will do it gladly, faithfully, and I will trust You to make me holy.

A reminder for today....

You Are in the Middle of the Story

Like Joseph, you can't see all the end results when you're in the middle of the story. But take heart that in end you'll see. And have patience for those who are in the middle too and don't know or see what may come of it.
Psalm 34:18, 19 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
God can't rescue you out of trouble unless you're in trouble. So you will be in trouble at some point and it may be that you're there for a long time. There may be a few years between verse 18 and verse 19.


Right now, I'm in the middle of something. Don't know what the end is going to be. I feel tired, weary and just worn out. Don't feel like I can keep going on.

from facebook...

On this day of your life, Cathy, we believe God wants you to know...
... that work begins when you don't like what you are doing.

Little children can do the most amazing things with such joy and fun. You were little once too, and knew how to turn everything into a game. So, turn your work into a game, and you will find joy and satisfaction in it. What are some ways you can start being playful with work?

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Hmmmmmmmm....interesting.

Answer to prayer???

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
... that God has an important purpose for me, and made everything possible for me to succeed.

That's not to say it's an easy purpose, or a convenient one. It might very well seem hard or even impossible, but it only looks that way. The truth is that one day I will look back and see how all the pieces fit together. And how my life has been a complete and utter success.

(from Facebook)

This is something I'm struggling with right now.

Crossing the picket line...

I'm breaking my 'strike' to talk about something that is really hitting me hard...

It seems to go from bad to worse. I'm trusting God; however, the storm seems to be getting worse. Lord, Help me...please. I'm sinking fast and might drown.

I'm finally getting to read the local paper for today. On the front page there is an article on the cuts to the school board and some of the things we can expect for next year. They actually mentioned the possibility of us having a pay cut. They are "hoping" to give us our 'step' raise of $500; however, we will probably see nothing beyond that and we don't have a contract for next year, yet.

I looked on the Chronicle's web site for a link to the article; however, they didn't have it posted on the site (like I'm surprised by that one).

Anyone know of a job for a Drama Teacher/Director with a BA in English and a Masters in Theatre???