A Shout Out to The Coach

 Joe hasn't taken a day of leave from work in the year he has been back from Virginia.  He decided to take Monday and Tuesday off this week, because he was behind on his homework for school.  I was excited.  His schedule is so busy, I haven't had the opportunity to spend any time with him since youth football started in July.  I'm not sure how much time I thought I'd get to spend with him this week, but I was sure I'd get a LITTLE time... I was wrong.  And internally I was mad.  I didn't vocalize my displeasure out loud to him because he's been under a considerable amount of stress, but when I went to bed last night, I was upset.  I also haven't  been feeling well for a few weeks, and I haven't been sleeping well.  So when I woke up at 1AM this morning unable to sleep, I started to feel a little ashamed of being upset with him.  And I was really glad I internalized my funky attitude.  I realize how really and truly blessed I am to be married to such a hardworking man.  

Joe works from 7AM till 5:30 PM, and goes straight to the football field after work four nights per week so he can coach a youth football team that isn't even his own son's team.  He hadn't planned on coaching this year because of school and his church calling, but the age division under Justice was short a coach and he agreed to help out when they asked him.  Joe and Justice come home from practice between 8:30 - 9:00, and after I quickly get them fed, I help Justice get ready for bed.  Before I know it, it's 10:00PM, and The Coach is already at the computer working on schoolwork.  He stays there till after 11:00PM, and most nights go by without too much interaction between the two of us.   Saturday's are also spent at the football field.  Between his games and Justice's games, they are at the football field from 10 AM till 5 PM.

Now let's add his church calling to the 63 hours per week that he is already away from home.  As the President of Young Men in our church, he spends Wednesday evenings at church with the youth.  He also spends one Friday night a month camping with those boys, and spends countless hours of administrative time making phone calls, updating Facebook pages, texting, emailing, calling, planning, and attending long meetings.  His church day on Sunday begins at 7:30 AM, and most often he doesn't get home until nearly 3PM.  As soon as he gets home, it's straight to the homework.  When he was called to this position at church, I knew he would be busy.  He knew he would be busy.  I asked him "Why did you accept the calling?  You will be stretched SO THIN."  He simply said "What example would I have set for my sons if I turned it down?  What does that teach them about hard work?  It's not OK to tell God 'No thanks, I'm too busy for you'."

And so he struggles, working long hours at work, school, church, and the football field.  There is always a silver lining, and football will end in November, and he will have completed the last of his classes in January.  Until then, he will be a little grouchy, and most importantly, he will count on ME for support.  He will count on me to keep the wheels turning smoothly at the Mack house, and he will count on me to understand what he's going through and not make him feel even worse than he does about the lack of time he gets to spend with us right now.  What he doesn't need is to have me complain about what little time I've spent with him.  I have the opportunity to be the glue that holds us together during stressful patches like this one.  I am grateful that he can lean on me for support, and he knows that he can and that's one of the things that makes our relationship as strong as it is.

One thing is for certain, and that is that my husband is the most hardworking man I've ever met.  He sets a wonderful example for our children, and I am extremely thankful for that.  No, I didn't get to spend any time with him while he was off work, but he got caught up on his homework, and mowed the lawn because he knew I wasn't feeling well.   He played ball in the yard with the boys, and we got to eat dinner at the table together two weeknights in a row.   He knows how much I've missed him, and I know that this will soon be over and things will get back to our version of normal.  Until then, I will suck it up and just be grateful that he's my husband and do the best I can to ease his burdens. 

I love you my dear husband, and I'm so grateful for everything you do for our family.