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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 5:31pm | IP Logged
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Hope you all have had a great week. We're taking it easy, recovering from illness, and transitioning back into our regular schedule. The weather is lovely here and we're all in good spirits.
One thing on my mind and heart is how so many struggle at work. My husband reports so many of his colleagues are being treated poorly. The poor treatment has everyone on edge, including my husband. No wonder. There is so much scrutiny, so much attention on "what's wrong" and little on "what's right." Professionals being called out for being 5 minutes late to a meeting? Workers called AWOL on hearsay? On and on. It seems that many in leadership positions simply aren't leaders. They may have proper authority but little humanity or common sense. I hate to say that many of these leaders are older single women who seem very unhappy and married to the job. Anyway, that's what I'm praying about and wonder...
How do you support workers who are in difficult positions? If you are a worker in a difficult position, how do you hold onto hope and personal dignity in the face of those who don't want your good?
Plus I'm feeling extra grateful to be home 
Praying for you all and all workers who are suffering.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 11:19pm | IP Logged
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My friend's husband is in the same boat, Angie. Thanks for the reminder to pray for all those working under stressful conditions.
I've been on both ends of this issue - stuck in a stressful job and trying to support my husband in his stressful assignments (including one where he was required to work until 10:00 p.m. weeknights while the ship was IN PORT, not deployed - a Navy no-no).
When I was working in my stressful jobs, I found my dad's advice very helpful. He told me when I was a teenager that a job that made you feel happy 10% of the time was a good job. So I started looking for the 10%. And, of course, in most of my stressful jobs, I learned things I ended up needing later in life - so God was preparing me for future steps along His path for me. It's not easy, though, especially when you have to give presentations to table-pounding bosses who yell or have to constantly rearrange your life to make some demanding manager (or employee - that happens too!) happy. Knowing that my wise (and super-smart) father had held jobs in which he'd been dissatisfied 90% of the time really helped me cope. My dad holds degrees from two of the best engineering schools in the U. S. and he was telling me that most of the time, jobs aren't fun...so be it. Time to deal with it and find the glass-half-full moments!
The #1 piece of advice I have for supporting someone who's in a stressful job situation is to make the parts of their life that you affect as stress-free as possible. No complaining about long hours that they can't avoid working. Cheerful acceptance of their stress, and recognition that YOU didn't cause it. Finding ways to recharge your loved one's batteries (alone time if introvert, party time if extrovert). When I let go of my needs and focused on my husband's stress, everything got so much better...not instantly, but over time, as he realized that I was trying to help him cope.
If your stressed worker is a friend, there are still things you can do. Girls' night out. Babysitting. Friendship-affirming emails. Food she does not have to cook. (Bring it in a freezer bag or freezer-friendly casserole container...then she can use it when she really needs it.) Errand help (dry cleaning, etc.). My daughter's godmother worked every other Saturday while her husband was deployed with mine, and I took care of their son along with my two on those Saturdays. We had a blast visiting every military museum (translation: free stuff that boys like!) in our area, with picnic lunches in hand. I still feel as though the children and I were the blessed ones during those months.
And that's the other important part. Whenever I've found the courage to set aside my needs to help my husband cope with work issues or make it possible for friends to keep their jobs by helping out where I could, I'm the one who's been blessed. (Maybe God blessed everyone else, too - I'm sure He did! - but the joy I've felt and the memories from kid trips and battery-recharging get-togethers and all that - those are precious memories. I am blessed.)
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Jan 09 2013 at 11:58pm | IP Logged
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Nancy, you are one in a million! Thanks so much for a thorough and encouraging post  . I will definitely pass on the 10% rule...sad but true.
Our whole family is grateful for Dave's work, especially when many are out of work. This gratitude gets us far. It's just so hard to watch such ill treatment of others at the hands of people who could choose differently. We need more Mr. Fezziwigs!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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guitarnan
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Quote:
| It's just so hard to watch such ill treatment of others at the hands of people who could choose differently. |
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Yes, it is very hard to watch this. People who need to feel power over others through workplace nit-picking and bullying seem to be able to find the people who can't fight back (because they need their jobs) and single them out.
I don't think our society values the programs that have always taught our young people how to lead. (Boy Scouts of America leaps to mind.) It's really sad to see that kids in some schools are ridiculed for studying hard, getting good grades or participating in leadership activities. This problem is now an adult world problem, as the kids who've grown up taunting others are now in the working world.
That's why we homeschooling families have a part to play - our kids, who experience much less bullying and ridicule, can grow up to be good leaders and supervisors if that's where God calls them to be. And they are!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Betsy
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Angie Mc wrote:
| It seems that many in leadership positions simply aren't leaders. They may have proper authority but little humanity or common sense. |
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I have been dealing with a situation like this in my business! With the issue at hand I always treated this company professionally and with respect. The return emails I got was so much less than that...personal attacks, very passive-agressive, emails you might expect from high school girls! 
It still is a difficult situation and gives me a great opportunity to respond with love when I would really like to..... 
Please join with me an pray for this young lady and her small business!
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ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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Servant2theKing
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So often those who lash out at others are actually hurting or wounded souls themselves. Praying for such individuals can be a powerful means of bringing grace into an otherwise negative situation. Angry, wounded souls might have no other person in their lives to pray for them. Our prayers might be the means by which God chooses to sanctify such souls! Imagine the possibilities if we petition Almighty God as couples, entire families, or even by way of this forum for all the angry, wounded souls we encounter. If each and every one of us were to STOP at the first sign of unholy action, making a conscious decision to pray for those who wound others ~ what immense grace might God bring forth upon our wretched, hurting world?
I've recently run across suggestions online of performing acts of kindness in memory of the victims of Newtown. While the original idea involves sharing with the recipient that acts of kindness are being done with such intent, anonymous gestures might be desirable and just as effective. If we respond with acts of charity and kindness to those who attack or wound us, our Lord can actually transform even the most difficult and painful situations.
Praying for all those who encounter unholy acts in the work place, that the grace of God might bring grace and mercy where there is none.
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Wednesday Shout Out! Praying for workers
