I got an email from the Primary Presidency last night.
They said they wanted to move me to the 10 and 11-year-old primary class.
Ummmmmmmmm.
I've gone to church here for four years.
Three-and-a-half of those have been spent in the Primary.
One-and-a-half years teaching the Nursery.
And after a five month break from that (wherein I taught the 14-15 year-olds), two years with the three-year-olds.
I can count on two hands the number of times I've been to an adult class.
I can count on two hands the number of Sundays where I wasn't taking care of someone else's children.
I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually felt fulfilled when I came home from church.
I understand that people have to do certain things to help the church run smoothly.
I understand that there are a lot of people who do things that aren't exactly their cup-of-tea for this purpose.
But, in the time I've been in the primary, there have been three Primary Presidencies. Three Relief Society presidencies. Four Young Women's presidencies. Two bishops. Three Sunday School presidencies.
I've team taught with nine, count 'em, nine different women, all of whom have now been released.
I'm tired.
Am I wrong in thinking that there have got to be other people (yes, men can teach in the Primary, too, my dad did for years) who can teach Primary??
Like I'm not the only person in the ward who can do it for a prolonged period of time, right?
Never in my life have I turned down a calling.
Never in my life have I asked to be released.
But, I really don't think I can do it anymore.
5 comments:
I know what you mean and how you feel. I personally feel that you have to do what is best for you and your family and sometimes that means asking to be released (I recently had to do this from ONE of my callings because I just can't do it). I told them that I don't mind helping occasionally but I couldn't keep doing it all the time.
Keep your chin up and know that things will work out how it is supposed to and the Lord won't condemn you for saying "not right now".
As a former Primary President I can say....TELL THEM YOU CAN'T DO IT!! Though we prayerfully consider names, sometimes we get it wrong. There are things going on in your life that they just may not realize. You are going to have to learn that it is okay to say no. Why does it take us women so long to learn that lesson?
This is something you need to talk to the Bishop about as he will be able to understand then what is going on in your life.
I've both turned down certain callings and asked for a release (in a calling I loved). Only you know what is best for you and if your first reaction is "Ohhh NOOOOO!" and it doesn't get better after you've slept on it, then your head is telling you that this is important to your mental health.
Other people don't have to understand your decision. but you do have to live with your decision (as does your husband and adorable daughter.)
Good luck! I know you will choose what is best for you.
Hi, I found your blog through a friend of mine. And I just want to say, no, you're not wrong. I've asked to be released from a calling before when I felt it was necessary for my own physical and spiritual health. I think if you've prayed about it and you're feeling the need for fulfillment, you have a right to say that.
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