Need to make a big decision

[Judilyn]

I've posted this in the womens forum but that must not have been the right spot because so far only 1 person has offered any advice.

I am not ordained as of yet but I do work FT in a ministry. I am the director of our churches Child Care Center and Christian Preschool. I put in very long hours and if any of you know anything about the child care field it is a field of high turn over and low pay. It is very hard to find qualified teachers and support staff. I spend a lot of time covering classrooms. I love teaching but I have so much to do in the office and teaching makes my work pile up even more.

We have 140 children enrolled. I have no assistant, no secretary. The church accountant helps some with finances but 75% of that falls on me also. I am getting very burned out. I love my Pastors dearly but at times I feel very taken advantage of. I was very offended recently when they added another maintence man but yet I still am doing the work of 3 people.

I really do love my job but it keeps me so busy that I am neglecting my family. At times I feel that life is passing me by. I rarley ever get any fellowship. I never get to do things I really enjoy, simple things like taking a walk in the woods or even reading a book. My oldest will graduate from HS this year and I feel as if those years slipped right threw my hands.

I have been doing this for 7 years. And now I am beginning to see that the thing that I thought I was doing to serve God is actually hurting my relationship with Him. I get up at 4:30am in order to get to work by 6:15 with 2 of my younger children in tow. By the time I get to bed at night I am so tired I fall asleep praying or reading my Bible.

The only person who answered me in my other thread gave me alot to think about: She said "doing ministry" is not the same as putting God first in your life".

I feel it's time to leave and I would like to do that this spring when my son graduates. (He attends our Christain school also) I am darn good at what I do and people who work with me will tell you that. I am so torn what to do.

I have talked with my pastors but I feel that they are just telling me that I would be stepping out of my call so that I will not leave. I understand that I would be leaving a big void at the cneter but I feel that I cannot let life keeping passing me by and I must begin truely putting God first and then my family.

Anyway, your prayers and words of wisdom are welcome.

Thanks

 

[window_wax]

I've seen this happen at the Christian school I attended. About the only thing I can suggest is that you bring it before God. If He leads you to leave, then by all means, do it. If you feel that God still wants to use you there, go back before your pastors, and let them know that you mean business.

-Jeremiah

 

[clonenomore]

God will not call you to a ministry that will tear your family apart. After all, He put your family together. Pray -- take it to God, He will answer and tell you what to do.

 

[Highland Watchman]

I echo what was said already... Pray and take it to God first and foremost. And even if it means taking a sabbattical (an extended time off) to show the pastors this need, then do whatever God wants you to do... But I would also suggest getting a few others whom you trust to pray alongside you in this (like your husband, and one or two others in your church)... I will be praying for you in this also, that you will find the direction that God is leading you in.

And regarding the "going against your calling" remark, I shake my head at that, because you were called to be a follower of Jesus before you were called to be a teacher. A teacher is what you do, and it is a needed vocation, definitely. But I think sometimes we need to learn to just sit before God and learn to be HIS child, and HIS friend first... And EVERYONE needs a Sabbath...

 

[fuzzyh]

I'll echo what everyone else has said, "Pray."

Then, I'd start talking to you pastors. I'm a firm believer that God will provide what's needed for a ministry. If God's not providing the resources for the ministry then perhaps it's not God's ministry. If you have to leave for a while, that's ok. It's not supposed to be YOUR ministry. God's the one who should be taking care of it.

 

[Judilyn]

Oh yes, been doing lots of praying. LAst night during church God spoke to my heart and I believe that God wants to see if I will lay it (My Job) down for Him. YOu see I love my PAstors so much, they have done so much for me to help me grow Spiritually and get healed from the past. I know God put them in my life for a reason. My job is hard and the only real reason I've stayed is for them. BUt it's time really focus on what it means to put God first in my life, and that does mean that I must learn that "doing ministry" is not the same as having God first in my life.

Does this make any sense to anyone?