I accomplished a lot over the weekend. It started on Friday with a night vigil for a friend’s late father. The host asked me to bring some Puff Puff and Beans, so while frying the Puff Puff I ate far more than I planned and certainly more than my waistline appreciated.
At the vigil we sat, listened to music, talked, and ate — and ate some more. I left feeling like a well-fed calf.
On Saturday we went to a barbecue at a family friend’s house and enjoyed meat fresh from the grill. For a moment I paused and thanked God that I hadn’t let a certain documentary turn me off meat entirely. My habits around meat have changed, but I was happy to indulge in ribs and soya/suya. I even picked up a new trick for making perfect soya from someone there and can’t wait to try it out.
Sunday brought another meal when a friend and her family visited, which meant more eating, more conversation, and more warmth. All in all, my weekend was full of food, good company, and affection. How was yours?
This morning I woke up to Labor Day here in the United States. I appreciate having a day to recognize work and the value of doing it. As my high school principal used to say, “there is dignity in labor.”
Working is one of the most dignified things we can do. We weren’t made to be idle; we were made to work. God placed Adam in a garden to tend it, and each of us has our own “garden” to care for.
Rest feels sweeter after hard work. Enjoyment is richer when it follows effort. Weekends full of great food and company, like the one I just had, are more rewarding because of the days spent working leading up to them.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work.
Still, work isn’t always easy. Many mornings there’s something pulling me away from my tasks — that temptation to do anything except the important work. Some call it “the resistance,” a term used in this post.
I face resistance on mornings when I don’t feel like getting out of bed, cooking, teaching my kids, making videos, sitting at the computer, or writing. Sometimes I’d rather stay in bed or waste time watching bad TV.
But I force myself up and get to work because that’s what gives my life purpose. I didn’t come into the world to be a couch potato, and neither did you.
We’re here to be productive and to contribute. There is dignity in your labor. So rise, step out, and get to work, friend.
Wishing you a very Happy Labor Day — may your days be filled with meaningful, satisfying work!