Yeah, I know it's been forever...give me a break, people! No, seriously...the end of the school year was a little stressful for me.
Back in October I resigned from my two year varsity coaching job. It was a very tough decision, but one that God led me to after months of prayer. At the time, I didn't understand all the reasons why some of the struggles that have come to me since being hired at the age of 22 to be the only varsity coach of a struggling program, while enjoying being a newlywed, moving over an hour away from my family and friends, owning our first home, and getting through my first year of teaching. Whew! That took a lot of energy even writing that.
For those of you who don't know, my first year of teaching was really challenging for me and my second year of coaching was extremely hard. This third year was easier in those departments, mostly because I really believe God protected me through the prayers of myself and others as well as me making the decision not to coach this past spring. Don't get me wrong, there have been moments I have thought twice about decisions that Matt and I have made that have brought us here, not just with coaching. But NOT ONCE have we ever regretted any of those decisions. They have been brought about after hours of prayer, searching the scriptures, and fasting.
Tears, begging, and pleading have ensued from many of my former athletes to have me come back over the past eight months (as recently as yesterday), and if coaching was all about them, I would have. Once it was leaked that I was being excessed, all of that was repeated from my students...and that was HARD. I love those kids and I miss the time that I spent with them, but unfortunately high school athletics is not what it used to be. And for some, just playing together on a team with friends learning more about a sport they love wasn't as important as playing time, bashing coaches, backstabbing, gossip, and extremely hurtful actions towards me from parents and staff.
Though like every trial in life there is a reason behind it...an experience that we have to go through to get a lesson. And there have been many. Through this persecution (and I do mean persecution...I was attacked for my faith in ways I hope most Christians in the U.S. never have to go through), I learned a lot about myself. Though it wasn't fun and not the most ideal way to get there, I have grown in my faith and learned how to cling to Jesus in way that I literally could not get through the day without constantly turning to Him through prayer and reading His Word.
I was also given gifts that have meaning beyond what I can write about here. I was sent numerous e-mails, phone calls, and letters encouraging me. People letting me know they were praying and to not be discouraged...I had parents walk straight into offices and demand to see the people in charge immediately, saying they were not going home until an explanation for what was going on was given...parents made phone calls to Jay Sekulow (Christian lawyer and Radio Personality) to see if there could be a case against the School Board...numerous prayer chains via e-mail were forwarded to me in support of myself.
Now, back to how I started this post...Because I chose to resign from coaching, I was given a letter informing me that the decision had been made to excess me out of the school. This means I was still guaranteed a job teaching PE in the county, but it would be at a different school the following year. There is rule in our contractual agreement that states that High School PE Teachers "may be required" to coach. At first, I had no problem with this and most people don't. Some don't even think it's a big deal if PE Teachers don't coach and I didn't mind coaching, so I didn't think much of it. Then the craziness that was last April happened. When I had the extremely wrenching meeting with my girls informing them of my decision, it was beyond explanation how hard it was to tell them that I would not be coming back. I told them I was returning to school to take classes for my masters and couldn't give them the time and energy that they would deserve from a coach.
So needless to say, my time since packing up my office on June 16 and leaving the school for the last time has been a restful and much needed break. Those of you who don't understand why teachers need a summer vacation have never experienced what the demands of teaching are and have NO room to complain about it...try me and shadow me for a day (see if you live to tell about it!) No, I'm only partially right there...I do enjoy it for the most part and that's why I still do it.
So two nights ago, Matt and I returned from our church's Mission Trip called World Changers. Man, did we love it! So many awesome things happened and I'll have to give more details later because this post got way too long anyway, but in summary...God is SOOO good!
Halfway through the week, on the way to my job site, I was informed of an opening position at a middle school, one of the top three middle schools in the county (Matt's at the first, that stinker). I know what you're thinking...middle school, I must be crazy. And you know what, I partially am...but it's a job, I can coach on my own terms if I have the desire to, and two of our youth from our church attend there...even a woman who volunteers for the youth at our church with me works there.
I took the job without hesitation because my prayer for months has been for God to lead me to the school where He wants me to be. And I'm confident that that phone call was the answer to all that prayer, pouring over the Word, and fasting.
Though I'm leaving the high school behind (I was a wreck that last day there and I couldn't even say good-bye to some of my favorite co-workers because I was bawling so hard due to mixed emotions). But over time (after months and months), I've found that getting upset, angry, and complaining only hurts myself and prayer is the best way to deal with all the emotions that come with trials like this.
So, I'm headed off this afternoon to my grandparents for a few days since I haven't seen them in months and Matt's in O.C. working a basketball camp 'til Thursday.
If you're reading this and I haven't talked to you in a while, give me a call. Summer's an awesome time to catch up and get back to what we're really put on this earth for...spreading His love to lead others to Him as well as fellowshipping and encouraging. Hope to hear from you all soon :)
Much love in Christ,
Lyns
