The Trouble Maker
Stranger stormed into the office the other night. He obviously had something on his mind, something he’d been thinking long and hard about.
The Conversation
“How long have you been in the Scout program?” he blurted out.
“I don’t know, about eight months,” I replied.
So they call you to work in the scouts and make you buy all those clothes and then you haven’t even been in there a year when they kick you out? (We just found a few days ago that I’ve been released from the Scouting program.)
No, they let me borrow the shirt.
Well, if they didn’t then you would have had to buy one right?
Yes.
That’s dumb that they would just get rid of you like that! Why do you have to cause so much trouble anyway?
Well, I’m a trouble maker. What can I say?
Then you’re just going to cause trouble somewhere else, no matter what your new calling is!
That’s true. Are you sorry you married such a trouble maker?
No, I just can’t believe they would get rid of you like that. I didn’t get rid of you!
Ahhhh, that is so sweet! It’s comforting to know that no matter how much trouble I cause, my husband will never get rid of me. Take that Cub Scouts!!! You didn’t want me but Stranger does and that’s all that matters.
The Background
In my Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you don’t choose your callings. You are given a calling by the Bishop, the local leader, and whatever you are asked to do, you do it. Of course you are welcome to say no but don't. Just do what you are asked to do.
When we first moved here I was called to be one of two Wolf Leaders in my son Victor’s den. We had about 6 boys when we started and over the last eight months our den grew to 14 and more. I lost count somewhere along the way and things got so crazy that I didn’t even recognize or know the names of all our boys! I showed up and helped the best I could with the activities amid the commotion while trying to keep my 1 and 6 year olds out of harms way. Then we packed up and went home exhausted. We needed help ok? There is a problem, let’s solve it. That’s all I was asking. I don’t think that qualifies me as a trouble maker but I know that’s the way I come across at times.
And in the defense of the other Scout leaders, no one was getting rid of me. At least I’d like to imagine they weren’t! I think it’s natural to feel a little rejected whenever you get released from a calling. “What! I’m not good enough for you? You don’t want me anymore?” But life continues and I will go on to annoy and irritate the next group of people I am called to serve with. Hey, at least they don’t have to live with me!
Labels: My Life, The Weird Family
posted by The Lazy Organizer @ 11:25 PM
13 Comments
13 Comments:
My husband came home Sunday seriously grumbling about the re-chartering process he was up against and the bureaucracy of the program. I let him vent, gave a hug and told him he was wasting his breath, that it would never get easier.
:)
Sorry to hear your tale of woe. I sympathize.
I guess this would be considered arguing theology, which may label me a troublemaker, as well (it wouldn't be the first time for me, either!) But, seems to me that it's hard enough for me to figure out my own calling. Seems like it's expecting a lot of a Bishop to know everyone else's calling, as well -- unless "calling" just means "here's a spot in church we need help" which sounds a little like what happened in that situation. I think your calling is to organize the pantry, or benevolence closet at church! :-)
Lara,
I just had a brief 3 month stint as the Gospel Doctrine teacher in our ward. It wasn't a calling I was comfortable with and it challenged me every week when I sat down to prepare the lesson. But still when I was released(I got called to the Stake Primary Presidency) I couldn't help but feel like maybe I wasn't doing it right. Our gospel doctrine teacher now is AWESOME and I learn so much from her each week. Now I am thinking, maybe I had that calling so I could learn to appreciate the person who is teaching.
Sara, you trouble maker! I often wonder that we are given callings in the Church instead of volunteering. I guess if we always got to choose when and where we wanted to serve we wouldn't have the opportunity to grow from the struggle of doing something a little out of our reach. I wish it could be easier than that but most lessons we need to learn the hard way. Then there's also the lesson of obedience that you learn by doing what you are asked to do.
Perhaps you just learned everything that you needed to learn from that calling super fast? Could be considered a compliment if looked at from that perspective!
Maybe they're grooming you for Relief Society...dum dum dummmmm!
If it were me (and it has been), I would be saying "HOORAY! I'm done with cub scouts! WaHOO!"
But that's just me.
I second Paige's comment.
No one was getting rid of you and you aren't a trouble maker. We just don't always understand the timings and reasonings of the Lord ... and neither does the Bishop all of the time :) ?!? I think he sometimes gets things mixed up, too. We are all human, but it is the doctrine that is pure.
You can have my calling if you would like?
it is hard when you get released from a calling. i know i'll be really sad when i am no longer in the yw organization. i'm sure you'll get a new calling somewhere where you can stir up more trouble.
Does LDS teach that "As man is, God once was;as God is, man may be.?
I think that is my understanding.
Okay, you got released, what more did you want? I am still in, now all by myself! I think that the nursery would be great fun. You get to sit on the floor, eat fishy crackers and look at little faces that still radiate heaven.
I agree with you that if we were to volunteer we wouldn't do it. Life is too busy, we think. I also believe that we truly find ourselves when we lose ourselves in the service of others. Sometimes we are given challenges that we would have never given ourselves and they are the greatest blessings to us.
I'd be doing the happy dance if I were Stranger... geez! He better watch out or they'll make him EQP for two weeks, just long enough for someone's big move, and then drop him like a hot coal! LOL
1)You don't sound like a troublemaker.
2) My DH's calling is in scouts (regular-not cub), but it is incredibly stressful just the same!
3)You sound like an awesome Mom and friend!
4)The Lord knows what he is doing. He also knows how much we can handle and how much we have learned.
5)You can have my calling, too...Enrichment Leader! I bet you'd be great at that!
Maybe they released you so you could enjoy your pregnancy without the stress. I was a den mother for 3 months and was sad when I was released. I have to say, though, I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Now that my son is nearing cub scout age I am so grateful for those earlier 3 months because now if I get called as a den mother I will know how to do it much better.
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