I recently received some pretty harsh criticism. There was a laundry list of complaints, from not saying hello properly, to how much common sense my children do or don't have, to accusations of gossip. Among these, the complaint that hit the hardest was the question, "And what about all those jobs?"
I answered, "I've been a teacher for twelve years." (working other jobs to fill in the gaps.)
"Yes, but you're never happy and you go from job to job."
It IS true that if I listed all of the seasonal and temporary jobs I've taken, per diem placements and positions that lasted fewer than two years, I would look like a job hopper.
I've had the luxury, perhaps because I do have the teaching gig, to walk away when employers have asked me to do things that ran counter to my morals. My husband, thankfully, provides a steady income and he pushes through difficulties at work with great patience.
I was pushed out of one position when I complained that the Director was smoking inside the building, around the county's emergency bedding and supplies. Now that I am more mature, I wish that I had leaned upon the whistle blower's law.
Even though I am sure that I don't throw in the towel when a job gets tough, I felt defensive.
Sure I'd like to have a career that makes me look like a corporate super star. It would be nice to have a larger income.
But I am, first and foremost, a mom. I fit my "continuing education" courses in between laundry and dishes. I've resisted, as much as possible, staying late at the office, commuting a great distance, and happy hour societies.
The world judges parents so harshly sometimes. I pray that I can find a way to support another working mom today.
1 Peter 2:1-25
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
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