In a few short months, I am looking at two years of retirement. It might surprise you for me to tell you how, just recently, I entertained the thought of what it was like to work full time. I let the memories of lesson plans, evaluations, testing and day to day teaching fill my mind. Many of you might now be wondering if I am losing it, but I assure you I am not.
My work right now looks very different. There is not a paycheck or regular hours, but at the same time I’m consumed by the work. The past week felt hard and that is what prompted me to go back in time. Weariness and a feeling of being overwhelmed all at the same time taught me that the fruit of hard work is to work harder. You might want to read that last line again. I’ll wait right here for you!
Teaching is hard work. It taxes you physically, emotionally and mentally. There are rewards when you see a struggling student finally “get it”. But while the hard work gets harder, it does not always produce the fruit. My travel back in time stopped almost as soon as it began because I know that where I am right now is the place I am supposed to be. Working laboriously has it merits but my focus looks different. God’s purpose for me is not in the classroom, but finds itself in coffee shops, church, or in my own home. God loves when we persevere and choose His work over and over.
My job right now is God’s work. Even though there are days I am still not sure what that is supposed to look like, it is the place where God calls and hopefully I answer “yes”. I yearn to know God better and in the seeking I pray for overflow that I may share His love and truth with others. It looks like sitting, praying, listening, and then doing it all over again. If my greatest desire is to empower other women in who they are in Christ, then I need to stop and let God fill me. Remember the fruit of hard work is to work harder and when we work for God it doesn’t feel so hard.
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Monday nights are spent in discipleship with other women. A community who desires to know God better and in the process get to know themselves better. As the leader of a small group, I either leave the gathering believing Jesus was present in every moment and in every woman, or the results look more like a train wreck. I sound like an all or nothing girl.
The reality is that Jesus shows up every week. I need to ask myself hard questions such as:
- Did I show up ready to let God work in and through me?
- Was enough time spent in God’s presence throughout the week in preparation?
- And were the hearts of the women ready to receive and give back what they welcomed into their hearts?
The fruit of hard work is to work harder. It is saying “yes” even when you don’t feel like it. On the days that look more like a train wreck, it is pausing and inviting God into your heart again. It is knowing that the power of God comes from time spent with Him–no agendas, just you and Him.
In Galatians 5, we are advised against following the desires of a sinful nature. Instead, we learn that when we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, even if the work is hard, we produce fruit. Here is what this amazing fruit is:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
The thought of doing the hard work of teaching in a classroom dissipated rapidly. The joy of working hard for the Lord remains.
May your hard work produce the fruit of joy, patience, love, peace, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.
Blessings,
Linking today with:
and Dawn for Grace Moments
I am a former teacher who turned to corporate training. We do work hard! I got to serve as my husband’s caregiver for 2.5 years and that was hard work too. I think that your approach to retirement is exactly what everyone needs. Keep fulfilling God’s work.
You have a quite a story Karen. I know we all think our jobs are the hardest but what I am learning is how God’s work produces a different kind of fruit. Sometimes we are working harder to produce that fruit but is it worth it when we work for God.
Hi Mary! Like you, I ‘retired’ from my job in nursing. It’s been about four years now for me. It was a lot of hard work, and I would say that it was rewarding in it’s own way. It just became to pressure-filled for me. I had to go.
But I have seen how God is using me now in a different way. We work in faith, trying to sew our seeds, hoping that God will make them grow. I don’t often see any reward from this writing and speaking profession, but I trust that God loves it. I’m sure you feel the same way.
May God continue to bless our good intentions and hard work for him!
Ceil
You were part of a stressful field of work and when the pressure becomes too much it is time to find something else. I don’t think God wants us to be in situations that are pulling us away from Him rather than closer.
The work we are doing now doesn’t always show obvious fruit but we can be assured that we are working for the One who will make the biggest difference. Thank you for your thoughts.
I work as an Administrative Assistant in a public school and I consider it my mission field. So many kids that need love, hugs and a little grace. But it wears me out!! It is hard work to keep up, but I always remind myself that I am working for my King.
I thought of teaching as my mission field too. It is hard and very wearing and what you do is important to the whole process too. I love how you remind yourself that you are working for the King. I can’t think of anyone I would rather work for.
I am not a former teacher but I still loved what you said! Isn’t it interesting that it is fruit (singular) of the Spirit? And, yet there are several listed..I’ve often thought perhaps the main FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE and then all the rest are “spin-off’s” of LOVE. What do you think?
I’m glad you are bringing a different perspective, Susan. I’ve been thinking about your question and it seems that love is the foundation for all of the other fruit of the spirit. In many ways love is the basis for who Jesus was and is and we should be embracing it too.
I’ve spent 2+ years wondering what my purpose was after being laid off from the church I helped plant, an knowing (or I thought I knew) that I was supposed to be there until God called me home. I was obedient and know I absolutely love my new job. I still feel the sting of the past, but I have to believe God still has a calling on my life to encourage the Body….perhaps not in a physical church, but perhaps through my writing and the Body at large. Hugs to you Mary!
You have a gift for encouraging and do a wonderful job here in the online world. I know God takes us through seasons where even though He knows the plan, we don’t have a clue what is next. I will be praying for you as you continue to seek clarity in this season of your life. Love you friend!
So profound, Mary. What realizations. I wonder what my thoughts would be when I’m months away from retirement too.
Thank you.
I wish that I was more invested in honoring God while I was working full time. I missed a lot because I was consumed by what I was doing instead of listening to what God wanted me to do. Don’t wait until retirement to dream with God. Thank you for being here Lux.
I’m right there with you, Mary. This blogging thing is very important but can also be very draining. But when we invite God into the process, He gives us the ability to persevere, make an impact and enjoy it–all in one! Thanks for sticking with it and continuing to minister in all sorts of ways, my friend!
Writing is hard work but discipling others is hard too. I pray that leading other ladies whether here on the blog or in real life honors God and others. Every invitation we extend to God is one that He cherishes and gives back to us over and over. Blessings dear friend!
Oh friend, thank you! I was blessed by your words today.
Thank you Tara! I pray that your week is blessed.
Mary, I love that we have teaching as something in common. I loved my elementary students, back in the day. And it was hard work. I think my work now is harder . . . being intentional to teach our sons well. I lean on the Lord even more now than when I was in the classroom. The investment is much greater because they are my own kids. 🙂
I hadn’t thought about the fruit of hard work being to work harder. I’m pondering that, my friend. Lovely post!!
I think our work becomes harder when our focus is on God and honoring Him. The work you do caring for your sons is hard but you are doing an amazing job. God’s got your back and He’s got mine. As we strive to know Him better the work becomes harder but the fruit is sweeter.
Let me know what you think after you ponder this for awhile. Blessings and hugs!
It’s inspiring to watch you lean into God’s timing and plan for your life, Mary! Clearly, He hasn’t said “no” to you being a teacher, He’s just given you a different set of pupils! You have a unique set of gifts and it’s a blessing to be on the receiving end as you use them for God’s glory. Bless you, my friend.
I love that you recognize I am still using my gift for teaching. God blessed me with this gift and I cannot imagine not using it in some way as I work for Him. Thank you for affirming my gifts sweet friend.
I love the new design of your blog, Mary! And also the reminder that while we need to work hard the key thing is obedience to what God is calling us to at that time and that it is not about working hard in our own strength but letting God work through us. I like the questions you reflect on after the discipleship group.
I would just love to be in your small group, Mary. I just know you’re a terrific leader and an intuitive teacher.
Too bad we can’t shrink those miles …
I identify with the hard work of being a teacher, Mary. Though I loved it, it can be so taxing. I commend you for teaching so many years. And I’m excited that now you have joy in working hard for the Lord as you empower women. I love this – “If my greatest desire is to empower other women in who they are in Christ, then I need to stop and let God fill me.” So very true! Love and hugs to you!
There are so many connections among us as teachers. That is a God thing. Teaching was and still is very difficult. I have many friends who are still in the trenches. God is providing opportunities and I am working hard to follow where He leads. It is definitely hard work. Sending love and hugs to you!
Mary,
I remember those dreaded teacher reviews. I remember praying that my kids would be on their best behavior and that my lesson plan would come across as a well-thought-out, creative and engaging lesson for the day. That to me spell success. Now as a leader in God’s classroom I found that sometimes the interrupted gone sideways Trainwreck kinds of days are the best platform for God’s glory to shine through. It’s been a different way of thinking! I applaud you for taking it one step at a time and just embracing what God has in front of you. Blessings sweet friend… Carry on 🙂
Love and hugs, Bev xx
I would do the same thing Bev! There were many times that my students were not on their best behavior but somehow I survived. I love how you described being a leader in God’s classroom now. That is exactly what you are doing and God is shining His light through you. God is using both of us and it is glorious. May we carry on in God’s strength together.
Being ready and willing to go where He wants us to go and do what He wants to do is a great privilege, but it does tend to be hard work. Often He calls us to do the things that are too hard for us to do without His help, without His filling and leading us, without His strength and wisdom.
God is so smart and He knows me well. Relying on Him takes a strength in faith that I’ll admit somedays is not strong. But oh what a journey He takes us on. Thank you for being here Ruth!
Sometimes showing up can be the hardest work of all! At least that is what I often experience. And keeping my thoughts captive to Christ to stay out of the ‘not good enough’ excuses to say ‘yes’ to the work. I see fruit produced here Mary, coming through your words and design. Thank you!
Amen! Following God is hard work but the fruit is endless. I can be very hard on myself so I understand what it feels like to fall into the “not good enough” trap. Thank you for cheering me on Lynn. I love knowing that you are part of this community.
My husband has taught elementary school for nearly 25 years, and I see the nightly ritual of “head in the briefcase” preparation for the next day, so I honor your long service and know that you have the grit to do that “harder work” that will take you to the place where God wants you each day.
(I also know what you mean by leaving a group wondering, “What just happened here?” Teaching Truth to others sure keeps us on our knees.)
I’m cheering your husband on from over here. Teaching is hard work but a wonderful profession overall. My little travel back in time was a blip on the radar of wanting to be able to control my current situation knowing full well that God is in charge.
If teaching truth keep me in my knees than I must be doing something right. Thank you for knowing me so well.
Mary! Your new blog design is beautiful, friend! I love it. May the Lord use this space online! And those 3 questions you ask yourself after Bible study nights are perfect for me. I spoke last Sunday at church and will do so again in 2 weeks, so those are good to evaluate. Thank you. I’m working hard too! 🙂
Love that you popped in and saw the beauty of my new writing home. I love it. I love having you join me here for words, stories and coffee. You add so much to the conversation. The questions are rather new for me but ones I need to incorporate as I continue to work for God.
I appreciated knowing that you spoke at church and are going to do it a second time. What a blessing you were I’m sure.
Great post, Mary. As a former teacher, I hear you.
Right now my hard work is staying upright to meet the day, let alone get anything done. It takes all I have.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/02/your-dying-spouse-268-lessons-from.html
You face each day with a courage that inspires me and keeps you going. I’m glad to know you were a former teacher. Love that we have that connection.