It has been tough at work since the first of the year. Workloads up, poor budget/profit situation, foul ups, miscommunications, you name it, it is going wrong...

I have been living on airplanes the last six weeks and working weekends to do work that wasn't done when I was out at HQ and in the field. I have been right on the edge for a week now, working so long hours I couldn't even get enough sleep, starting to snap at my wife and kids and growl at the dog.

On a telecon today with my next two level bosses, they offered to help out HQ by volunteering me to work more to fix underperformances at HQ. It was the straw that broke my back.

After the call I asked them to stay, and "laid my badge on the table." I can't work any harder for you, I said... get me help, reassign me or fire me, it doesn't matter, this can't go on.... Praise the Lord I didn't blow up. Shakey yes, rattled, but He helped me keep it glued together and be respectful.

The answer came, "We never thought you were over the edge... you are always so calm and pleasant..." Followed pretty closely by, "What can we do to help?" That was followed by me getting a deputy and two additional staff members plus a week off after next week's crisis is solved. ... (Hope my office won't be locked with a new resident when I return! ) I never expected help, it is just not the norm at our company...

I just wanted to thank the Lord Jesus for this relief. He knew how hard this has been and how I tried to keep my commitments to church. Something had to give, and he gave me back the time to stay involved in church and let these wordly demands be made less severe.

To God be the glory, honor and praise. ... I Thank You Lord!