“Don’t ya hate the living?”  This is one of my husband’s favorite quotes from the movie, Men In Black. The woman speaking was a mortician.  She preferred working with cadavers.

The workplace can be one of the most gratifying places to be or the most challenging and humiliating. It usually depends on the condition of the relationships and how closely personnel need to work together. Bosses have a huge impact on individual workers but also on the way employees treat each other.  I saw that in my career with different principals.  In defense of principals and bosses, they have higher-ups that put demands on them as well.  This entry was shortly after I had a principal that didn’t (in my opinion) value me.  It was hard.

From the journal . . . . December 2010

Lord, I believe you want me to keep loving when it seems to be unrequited. I try to love my work team, but I feel such rejection at times.  I’m afraid I give in to the enemy’s lies, but I think it’s true that they think I’m lame.  And so do I.  Lord, I wonder how much really has to do with my teaching.  Unfortunately, I don’t think people respect me enough to listen to me, but I think I’m a good teacher.  Okay, I’m feeling more confident again.  My former boss took me down a few rungs on the ladder of confidence and that’s a pity. However, You work All things together for good.*  As You call me to persevere in love, even that will work out for good.  Maybe even for the good of those who seem to oppose me, but most certainly my good.

*Romans 8:28

And I believe God Said:

Love those who are hard to love.  Love those who don’t seem to respect you.*  Be faithful to Me by not retaliating.  Remember the love of your family. Remember the love of your Heavenly Father. 

Luke 6:27-36

The teachers who should have respected and imitated Me, silenced and put me down instead.  Yet, I choose the lowly and humble of this world to be my disciples. 

I Corinthians 1:26-28

Look after your sheep and your lambs.   I am your teacher.  I am your shepherd.  I am master and father.  Look after those I have given you.  *Seek the lost.  Seek the discouraged and lonely.  Encourage them and give kindness.

Luke 19:10. 1 Thes. 5:11,14 Eph 4:32

Thank You Jesus.  Forgive me for being so weak and selfish.  God of Wonders.  Lover of my soul.  Again and again, You lift me up.  Holy, Holy Spirit.  Thank You for direction.  Thank You for the mission.

As time went on the relationships improved and one of those teachers told me that she wanted to put her daughter in my class!  High praise indeed! We’ve all grown up and after retiring, I am still friends with and appreciate those women!