Boy, I haven’t even had time to sit and do much writing this week. Been getting the house ready for Momma and Dad to come visit for Christmas. It’s not that my house is a total wreck. However, the last time they visited was when our oldest daughter was in the hospital with a massive infection after having had her appendix removed. Let’s just say the house was not exactly a priority at that time. I know they didn’t mind, but there’s something in a daughter that has to somehow prove to her mother that the hard work was worth it and, yes, I got the lessons in cleaning down.
Anyway, this little introduction leads me to some recent statements that crack me up and irk me at the same time. You see, we’re in the middle of a crisis in the staff at church. Our song leader has accepted a job in another state. This is bad enough, but the fact that he’s married to the church secretary multiplies this crisis by a hundred. I don’t think she even knows how significant a role she plays in the office. Not only does she do the unending secretarial work, she also represents our church to outsiders, and has to stop what she’s doing about fifty times a day to talk to people who seem to treat her like she’s the eyes and ears of the church, only there to listen to us little people who need to talk while pastor is studying. I include myself in this, because I have come to realize how much she pauses her day just to give me a phone number or address or put me through to my own husband.
Pastor, semi-jokingly, asked 2nd man and me to pray about my taking the job and putting my kids in school or doing video school. My first thought was flattered and excited. I’d love to do that job! Then reality set in.
What was I thinking? What do I do all day? I mean, I just had a meltdown two weeks ago about the amount of papers I had to grade and planning to do. Do I really think I want to add a full time job on top of that? These were some of the thoughts with which I played around for a while. 2nd man and I both realized that our very first priority as a family is to honor God. By that we feel very strongly that it is necessary that I give these precious kids the very best foundation that we can think of. The girls are further down the road than our little guy, and we don’t want to cheat him. It really made me stop and take stock of our goals and where God would have me to be… an important fact that I’ve taken for granted. So, while I was sooooo tempted to get a “real” job, I think that God would not like me there. Just think how awful that would be for the whole church!
Anyway, this leads me to the part that irks me. Through all of this, I’ve had several comments come from young people that just make me shake my head. The first came from a young man that we took home from our teen Christmas party. He told us that he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to make it to church the next day since it was so late, (9:30 pm), and he was so tired. I replied quickly (and admittedly in the flesh) that when he had three kids and a spouse to help get ready and feed in the morning, that I’d listen to his excuses. Um yea, not the best response I know.
This comment was followed by another from a young woman at our Wednesday night teen program. She was trying to let me know that there was no way she could do memorization or reading because she was so busy. I suggested she read the homework sections to the little boy she babysits. Or practice memorizing while practicing basketball. “You just don’t understand how busy and tired I am.” She responded. I held my tongue on this one. I’m not so sure I was able to hide my facial expression though. I’m sure I looked something like a roll of the eyes or and attitude of “really?”
What do people think I do all day? Why is it that a teacher in a classroom is working a real job, while a mother in the bedroom teaching is just wasting time? Do other homeschoolers not grade their children or have to read their work? Am I the only 2nd mans wife who helps counsel teen girls, or be the “unofficial” teen secretary? Do they realize that the people in my family like to eat? Where does everyone else’s food come from? Was I left out of a meeting that told me how to get through life without doing laundry or having to clean a bathroom? Do other people not have to pay bills? Or listen to excrutiatingly long stories about a dream someone had last night? When do other people make their bank deposits or get their groceries done? Who tends their gardens, kitchens, living rooms, growing children, husbands? I’ve been jipped! When was this information given out? Arghhhhhh! Snort! Humph!
So, anyway, I’m not taking the job. Those shoes are too big and I already have trouble fitting into my own. I’m certain God will provide the perfect person eventually. Until then, I guess it’s back to my soaps and bon bons.
2ndmanswife 