Rachel must have been amazing, a true soulmate for Jacob. How else can you explain fourteen years of service for the right to marry her? The story says nothing about any anger or bitterness on the part of Jacob for having been deceived by his uncle. Simply, “Jacob did so.”
What makes your years of work worth it? What do you love about your calling as a teacher that enables you to keep striving, after disappointment or even deceit? What would make seven years seem to you ‘but a few days?” I hope that you can answer these questions, and that you’ve thought about them before. Without love and without a promise of joy, I know I couldn’t get up every day and do the work. The best answer I have come up with is the impact my work has had on hundreds of students.
If you cannot answer those questions, or if your goals no longer sustain your work, it might be time to consider moving on. Or at the least, taking a break to reevaluate. But if you are still inspired, continue to share your vision and goals with everyone involved and empower them – and yourself – to move forward with joy.