I am very involved in church. It is where my friends are. i is where my family is. Church is normally the center of my life. I teach Sunday School to fourth, fifth and sixth graders on Sunday mornings. Sometime I want to pinch their heads off most of the time I love it. on Wednesday nights I help with third grade girls in AWANA. Sometime I fill in for council time. I love those girls, they keep on my toes.
Lately though on Wednesday's I have been going home so frustrated that last night I screamed in the car on the way home. You see last night we were short on workers, the flu has been going around. I had my girls by myself and there were two substitute teachers for the other girl's class. After that class I did Council Time for the little kids because that teacher wasn't there either. The fact that this happened doesn't bother. Anything for the kids.
What bothered me and has been bothering me is that there are six adults who sit in the kitchen and talk. For two hours they talk. I am running around like a mad man and they are VISITING! I was not happy. So last night I wrote a letter to them:
Dear Parents Who Visit During Wednesday Night Church:
I understand that you need fellowship. You are a stay at home mom and you need need adult conversation. All moms, all people need fellowship. I am not against you visiting but let me tell you about my day.
On Wednesday's I go to school. I drive an hour both ways. I get to work on two on-line classes when I get home from school. After working on my classes I volunteer at church.
Today I did not see my husband except for the minute I took him coffee and when I was pulling out of the driveway to head for church and he pulled into the driveway and I asked him to pick up dinner. ee he works twelve hours a day often seven days a week. I normally do not eat at church because I want to make sure the kids have enough to eat.
While at church I was in a class by myself because the other teacher was sick. In fact three out of four workers were gone.
This is while you were fellowshipping.
After that class I changed hats and worked in another class because there was another worker missing.
And still you fellowshipped.
When I got home my husband was asleep and my dinner had to be heated up. While I ate I had to prop my foot up because I have tendinitis and being on my feet too long aggravates it. Tonight I stood longer than I am suppose to.
And you did not see me limping because you were fellowshipping.
Four hours later and my foot is still propped up, my husband is snoring and dinner is gone and I wonder if it is worth it. You see I do not have children myself, there is no reason for me to be at AWANA other than your child. I know it was worth it because I love your kids. When they finally get the verse they have worked so hard on I love the look on their face. In council time I love to see the look of wonder they have as the finally understand something. I LOVE your kids.
So next week while you are visiting and fellowshipping and eating and watching as adults are counted to make sure there are enough I want you to realize how much these adults have sacrificed to be there with your kids and how badly we need in the room with your kids.
Sincerely,
The AWANA worker who bit her tongue tonight
