WORK AS IF WORKING FOR THE LORD

Today our nation celebrates Labor Day usually bringing on the anticipation of cooler weather,football season, and back to school time. What is Labor Day really? The first Labor Day was 1882. It stemmed from a Central Labor Union wanting a holiday for their workers. It became a Federal holiday in 1894. People were to celebrate trade and labor organizations. Some places used to hold parades and speeches.

 As I think of Labor Day I think of work. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by eating fruit God told them not to God had something to say in Genesis Chapter 3. It is too long to put here but basically God said to man " because you disobeyed me you will work the land all the days of your life". Take time and read Genesis 1 through 3 for a refresher. It has some good things in there we all need to remember.

 In society today in America, our government almost encourages laziness by increasing welfare and unemployment. People get to feeling entitled and thus become dependent and lazy expecting everything. They have no desire to do anything if the government and hard working tax payers are  doling it out to them. It says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you we gave you this rule, if a man does not work he does not eat." Parents, it is good to start  teaching your young children responsibility so they do not grow up lazy and expecting someone else to do things for them . Their future spouses will thank you too. When you do work, do it with a smile and be thankful for your job. Colossians 3:23 says " Whatever you do do it with all our heart as if working for the Lord and not for man." Working brings a reward too to help you pay your bills and do fun things. Now stay at home moms out there, you are working too and yours is the most important job ever so never say "I am just a mom" and men show respect and love to those beautiful women who are raising your children. It is not easy. My husband even got me my own stay home mom business card several years ago when my children were small.

Genesis 2:2-3 is where the verse is giving us Sunday, the Sabbath, as a day of rest. When I was young, on this day no malls were open and mostly only an occasional gas station, movie theater, or restaurant were open. It was actually quite refreshing as I recall. One day of less hustle and bustle, giving workers a day of rest and time to worship the Lord too. You need to to refresh and renew. Honor that day.

Those retired among us, do not just drift away thinking you can play golf or sit in a rocking chair. If you are blessed with health and ability to get around go find a place to volunteer. There are many places who would be thrilled with your services. Stop saying you are too old.Keep working past that set retirement age if you feel like it. Who says you are too old?

Today stop and say thanks too for those critical employees such as doctors, nurses, medical staff, firefighters, police, and the military who do not have this day off. We appreciate what they do to keep us healthy, safe, and secure.

So today if you are blessed with a day off enjoy it. Regardless be sure to thank the Lord for your job and the blessing of work. Get up each day and say "I get to go to work today" instead of "I have to go to work today". See your job as a Mission field God has placed you in. Stay home moms that means you are ministering to those darling little children. Go now into your mission field being thankful each and every day.

 PRAYER: Lord thank you for jobs. Thank you for those who create jobs.thank you for the blessing of an income. Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to witness where you have placed me. In Jesus name.amen.
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