Why did I look? 

I asked myself this question as I stared at my computer screen one Spring afternoon after inadvertently stumbling across a teaching vacancy. 

I was secure in my current position and had no reason or desire to look at job openings. However, the overwhelming burnout I felt surprised me as I approached the end of my twentieth year in public education. Part of me believed that everything would come naturally at this point in my career and my years of experience would command everything to just flow smoothly. Yet I felt weighed down by a relentlessly packed schedule, growing behavior issues in the classroom, the accelerated pressures of professional responsibilities, and an increasing reality that public education can feel like a dark place. My circumstances did not align with my expectations, and my joy felt depleted.  

I knew in my heart that I did not want to leave education, my current position, or my community. But I desperately wanted the burnout to lift and my joy to be restored. 

So, I decided to sort this out with the Lord. I spent that following weekend at home praying and asking the Lord to speak to my weary heart and reveal His plans for me.

As always, the Lord faithfully answered when He whispered, “Remember what you decided in your heart to give.”  

I opened my Bible to 2 Corinthians 9:7–8: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (NIV).

As I meditated on this verse, I remembered what I had decided to give…

Five years ago, I moved back to my hometown because I longed to serve the community in which I grew up. My current teaching position had opened up, so I applied. Throughout the interview process, I drove around the boundaries of my district and cried out to the Lord in prayer, “Oh Lord, if you will give me the children in this community to teach, I will contend for them in prayer all of my days here!”  

Throughout that weekend of reflection and remembrance, the Lord ministered to my heart. He spoke confidence and endurance (Hebrews 10:35–36) over what I had decided in my heart to give all those years ago. He restored my commitment to pray for the children in my community. I asked Him to show me additional ways I could pray for my students. I also prayed that He would help me have joy in my teaching role, regardless of the circumstances in my school or classroom.  

I returned to school that Monday feeling full of His joy and strength. The weight of burnout was lifted. Although we were in the final busy weeks of the school year, I felt like I was given a fresh start. I continued to pray and trust God to be all that I needed. And He was! 

As educators called to do good work, I pray for the fullness of His joy in our callings and encouragement in what we each have decided to give. He is more than able to bless us through all circumstances and abound in our good work.

Jennifer O’Leary, a Christian Educators member, has been an elementary school librarian in Pennsylvania for over twenty years. She also serves in children’s ministry and intercessory prayer groups within her church.