Labor Day is known for two things. It honors the working class. It also marks the end of summer and is used for a weekend of relaxation. Both reasons are good.
I googled the "working class" and "labor" to get a definition. It came up with words like wages, unions, strikes, protests, and pickets. I don't relate well to those definitions. They all sound negative and make work out to be a chore.
Work needs to be enjoyed and have a worthwhile goal. A person needs to look forward to getting up in the morning and thankful for things to do. These fellows below are catching up at the end of a work day while their grain trucks are being loaded for the following morning.
When I'm gone folks could summarize my life in three lines. He loved his God. He loved his family. He loved his work. When I was a kid I always wanted to farm but worried about God wanting me to be a preacher because that's what my Grandma B. always said she thought I should do. I was given an opportunity to rent 200 acres as a senior in high school. My father taught me the trade at a very early age. I used to start staying home from grade school in the 3rd or 4th grade to help him.
When mom and dad enjoy their occupation it will rub off on their children. If parents complain about work, their kids will grow up thinking work is a chore.
Children should always be included in jobs when possible. Children feel helpful when they pitch in and accomplishing things gives them a sense of accomplishment. Praising and affirming them helps kids get excited about work.
The ability to enjoy to enjoy your work takes people skills. You need to appreciate the folks you are around. In order to appreciate them you need communication and conversation. Below we enjoyed time together yesterday with Nate and Teresa and their four children. Nate is the son of our landlords, Marvin and Jean. Nate definitely works with people at his job as an engineer at Caterpillar.
Knowing when you have work and when work has you is important. Sometimes long days can't be avoided. Other times by doing less you can achieve more. Don't be treasure rich and time poor. Most unfinished jobs will wait on you.
You need to acknowledge other folk's accomplishments that you work with. At times we as humans are tempted to think things wouldn't happen without us. Well guess what. Life would adjust and things would still get done. One of my favorite lines is, "don't measure me by how much our operation needs me. Measure me by how well it runs when I'm not here."
Jan grew tomatoes seven feet tall this year. Yesterday she was busy making ketchup, pizza sauce, and spaghetti sauce.
Jan also loves growing flowers. This is a flower of a cactus that only blooms at night. It's called a Dutchman's Pipe. The plant was passed down to her by family and it hadn't bloomed for thirty years. She now has it blooming on a regular basis.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10. Enjoy your weekend. Enjoy your work.
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