What a week I had!

This week has been a roller coaster ride and I'm glad to be off (or that it's Friday afternoon and I've reached the end of the week). It seemed that every day at work something unexpected blew up, there were land mines under the sand everywhere. It tested my will, stamina, and faith. I would come home utterly exhausted and was asleep almost every night before 9pm. Tuesday at staff meeting I could tell my team was feeling the same way - there was a heaviness hanging in the room, frustration was written on their faces. We had staff meeting then I prayed for each of them. The weight seemed to have been lifted for them, but I was still under it. Today, one of my team did something unexpected. She pulled up a chair at my desk and told me what that meant to her. She said she was feeling down, but that she left the meeting feeling uplifted. This person has been with the department longer than just about anyone (going on two years). She worked with my predecessor and had great respect for her former boss. It is difficult to come in to a situation where you are following a popular leader. Today, this person told me she is convinced I am the right person for the job and that I have made a difference in the department and for the team. She said, she is glad I'm the team leader. It is one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. Why? not because it was flattering...I view flattery as empty praise, without merit. It was a great compliment because she is not one for flowery words. I know that what she was telling me is I've earned her respect. As her boss, that is a great honor. I also needed the encouragement, because, man oh man, what a week I've had! I have to believe next week will be better.