A Graceful Exit

Well, it's done.

A member of the Personnel Committee showed up at 8:30 this morning and he didn't want to waste any time hemming and hawing. So, we walked into the church office and told her... simply and as kindly as we could.

For a fleeting moment, I could see in her face an inner conflict:"Do I tell them off or do I leave with grace and dignity?" She chose the latter, which honestly, made it all the harder on me. It's easier to feel justified when someone cusses you out or tells you that you're a terrible person.

I must say, today I got a lesson in graciousness.

After the news sunk in a little bit, she said, "Well, I guess God doesn't want me here and I believe that 'everything works out for good for those who love God...'" She collected her belongings, went to the restroom and came into my office and asked me to have prayer with her. She proceeded to pray a lovely prayer asking God to lead and guide me and that we might find the right person to fill the position. It was then my turn and I wasn't nearly as eloquent as I tried to find the words asking God to bless and guide her.

If only her office skills were as great as her heart. *sigh*

I'm Sure I Won't Get Any Sleep Tonight

Tomorrow I'm firing my Admin Assistant. Some of you may recall, last Summer we put her on an improvement plan. Things haven't improved; the newsletter was a mess this month and the bulletin had several mistakes that I had pointed out before I left. Unfortunately, this is par for the course with her...and I found out today that she was late several days and took off early while I was on vacation this past week. Like 3 hours early.

It would be a lot easier if I didn't genuinely like her. I truly do. She's a sweet, sweet woman.

But not cut out for this work.

I feel like a jerk.