Work vs. Family

This year at school, life has been just a little bit more of a struggle for me. I know God is using the situation at work to stretch and grow me as my favoriate Bible verse says He will,

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Well I could use prayers for "how" to go about the trials I'm facing at work. The long and short of the situation is that under our last principal we weren't doing a lot of the things "we were supposed to be doing" in our county. So this year they want us to do everything and more to get caught up, which I understand on paper, but practically speaking is next to impossible. There are the usual things like planning, grading, etc. to do and then the long "to do list" which they've asked us to do on top of that. I must say that one good thing is I've learned to prioritize at work and don't "play", but I'm still far behind (as is everyone).

My bigger prayer request and concern is that the demands of my job are asking me to take away from time with Callan, Renee, and friends. This has been my biggest struggle, because I already go in 1 1/2 hours early and usually stay an extra hour. Those above me say that I should work at home and on weekends, but I see those as my family time (with the exception of report card time, which Renee and I both understands are crazy times).

To add to this whole situation is the fact that I'm the union rep for our school, so I'm representing the concerns of the whole staff, which are the same as my own. I'm trying to find out how to serve the staff, do what needs done for our school, and to make sure I keep my ultimate priorities in check; time with God and time with my family first.

Any way, I'd appreciate your prayers next Tuesday as two other union reps and I talk with our principal about the staff concerns. Pray that it would go well, she would hear and acknowledge our concerns, and ultimately that I would be humble and God honoring in my speech and actions because that's the hardest thing to do in a tense situation. Thanks for your prayers.

I'll post something a lil more upbeat later.