What Women Should Know about Letting it Go - a Review & Giveaway

One of the many things I appreciate about Christin Ditchfield as an author is her transparency and grace. Her book What Women Should Know about Letting it Go offers each of us that delicate balance between the spiritual and the practical. Letting go is an active pursuit; not a passive expectation. Christin shares the many ways in which we can let it go.

As a teacher I often come to the end of the school year not sure I did all I could do for my students. There always seemed to be someone I couldn't quite reach, someone who fought my best efforts to the bitter end, and someone who fell down that proverbial crack that I worked so hard to narrow. There is a guilt for not knowing exactly how to meet Emily's needs as a gifted learner on the Autism spectrum. There is shame over praying that my most troublesome student would be absent, or worse, move away. And there is discouragement that my profession, teaching, has become a political punching bag for all the powers that be.

I certainly need to know about letting it go.

Christin writes "One thing we especially need is courage - a holy boldness. It's time to strap on your sword and go to war."

I couldn't agree more. Meekness will not dispel my depression, guilt, or discouragement. Intentional boldness will. But in order to take hold of the sword, I need to let go of lesser things; things that I often have no control over. I have no control over any of the disabilities or challenges my students face. I have no control over how my students are parented. I have no control over what the legislature thinks about teachers and teaching. Those things I cannot change, I must let go.

What Women Should Know about Letting it Go ends each chapter with a Bible study which helps us to ponder and then put into practice the truths that Christin shares. To win a free copy of Christin's book, please post a comment about what you think you need to let go of as a teacher along with your email address.

What are you holding onto that keeps you from real rest, restoration, and renewal? I think it's time for us to learn how to let it go. Get your free chapter of What Women Should Know about Letting it Go here.

Be blessed!

Lighten Your Load

If others can do it, let them. Teachers tend to be territorial. We rely on our expert status so heavily we don't know how to ask for help when we really need it. Some of us wouldn't know what to do with a parent volunteer if we had one every day! Sometimes in the quest for more respect, prestige, and even a new position, we even take on more duties in order to impress.

You may not be able to admit it, but the truth is that you say yes in order to please someone else. It's not necessary to grab every opportunity at school to gain the respect of your colleagues or superiors. If your load feels too heavy, it probably is. And if your load is too heavy, you won't be able to do your best job. If you've already said yes to too many things, look for others who can bear some of the load instead. This is not a matter of defeat. It's a matter of being a good steward of your time and talents to educate children. Work smarter, not harder.

Welcome to Recess for Teachers

 

Are you a teacher looking for a place to recharge, rest and renew yourself in the middle of one of the most stressful vocations? A starting point to taking time out for your body, mind, and soul as a teacher is the flagship book Recess for Teachers. Other books that can also accompany you on your journey to rest and renewal are When Teachers Pray and Prayers from a Teacher's Heart.  Check back often for daily 3-minute retreats, information about upcoming teacher retreats, and ways to find rest in the middle of it all.