In my profession, August is the busiest month of the year. We help students find ways to pay for college, but many don't seek our help until the bill is due. The students and their parents get anxious, so our staff takes on more than an average load to help each one navigate through the applications and forms. This happens every August across the country in every college.
I've been observing my friends on Facebook who are working weekends along with exceptionally long days to serve all of these students, but at what cost? They are losing time to be with their family, the chance to rest, and to have a life outside of work. They are fighting exhaustion and ailments caused by the stress of overworking.
I feel very fortunate that I'm too busy outside of work to put in overtime. I can't get to work more than 15 minutes early because I have a child to drop off at school. I have to leave work on time to avoid late charges for after-school and to get to Awana on Wednesday evening. I get to eat supper with her, make her do her homework, read to her, say prayers with her and tuck her in every night. I just don't have time to work longer hours, so I give work my all while I am there.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-24 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This is also vanity. Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor.
My balancing act: Work to live, don't live to work.
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