Finding my Gifts

I'm baaaaaaack!

Yes I am back on my blog after a short stint as a Middle School Religion teacher. One thing about being laid off and thrown into figuring out what is next in your life, is the chance to try new things. I took the position teaching because I wanted to see if that was what I was being called to do. I think I can say that - at this time in my life - I am NOT called to teach middle school kids.

The kids are great, the school is great but it is not the right fit. I am reminded of the saying (I can't remember where I first heard it) "You contribute to your own burnout when you do things that others are called to do."

I was definitely feeling the burnout. One example was last week when I found myself yelling at some students... "At what point did you think it was a good idea to jump over the desks?" and 'That is it! I am sending the next student who talks to detention!"

Right after this episode we opened the chapter in their books to a study on the 5th commandment and after reading a discourse on righteous anger (recounting the story of Jesus overturning the tables in the temple) we were to give examples of righteous anger. I simply said, "I don't think we need to discuss examples, I think I just gave you a demonstration!"


This has caused me to reflect on what I am called to do. When I do the things I am gifted to do I am filled with life, energy and hope. I can tell I am moving toward burnout by my overwhelming fatigue. Burnout can be defined as a loss of enthusiasm, energy, idealism, perspective, and purpose. It is a state of total exhaustion—physical, mental, and spiritual—brought on by unrelenting stress. I have learned a few things about admitting that I can't do everything. To admit that you are burned out doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you are discovering your gifts.

I will be leaving my position as a Middle School teacher and allowing someone else who has that gift to take my place.  In the mean time, I will spend some time and effort discovering my gifts.

Writing is one of the things that gives me life and I will start posting to this blog again or I may start a new blog as I think I have moved beyond surviving the layoff to finding my gifts.

Follow me as I take a leap of faith and see where God is taking me.