Today in the United States, we’re
celebrating labor, and Labor. Wikipedia describes it as a day that “… honors the American labor movement and the contributions
that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the
country.” Which
is actually a quote from our government’s official website on the holiday. As though anything else but the hard work
of our citizens could have contributed to the country’s economic success.
It’s really kind of a socialist or
communist idea where we honor the workingman, specifically the labor unions in
our country. (Somehow it irks me that we have a day that leans toward
blue-collar labor and doesn’t say too much about white-collar labor, both of
which are necessities to making a country hum and prosper. Sorry, I digress
into politics.)
More than 100 years after its
founding, though, I’m going to guess that I’d be hard pressed to find anyone
out and about on Labor Day able to give you the meaning of the day. That’s
probably because it’s now pretty much dedicated to hard-core consumerism, and
much of the work force isn’t relaxing or celebrating the day at all—with
picnics and rest and neighborhood football games—but laboring to sell goods at
a shopping mall.
The engineer always gets the day
off—officially, but sometimes (being an writer-solopreneur), you’ll find me
parked at my desk for part of the day, pecking away at my keyboard, trying to
meet an editing deadline. If I don’t work, I don’t eat!
But we’re celebrating in our own
way. We’re breaking in a new grill purchased last Friday night. Nothing was
wrong with our old grill—until the pack rats decided it looked like a good
high-rise in which to set up house while we were enjoying the great Northwest
for three weeks. I’d recently purchased a cover for it, to protect it from the
desert elements, and they found that even more convenient. What could be better
than a high rise with a weather cape! And the quail block located within inches
of the high rise was like an instant supermarket—the inside of the grill was packed
to the rafters with birdseed. (I wonder what the quail ended up eating?)
Anyway, we retired the 26-year-old
grill (actually heaved into the trailer to cart to the dump), and went to a
local big box do-it-yourself store to acquire a new one. The engineer’s happy.
This new grill has a rotisserie component we didn’t have before, so he can
skewer deceased game hen and watch them whirl around and roast to a golden
brown over the gas flames.
(The engineer and I actually
considered cleaning the grill out and sterilizing it as best as we could, until
our younger son screwed up his face in horror and reminded us pack rats are
notorious for carrying the plague. Hmmm, good point, son! Into the trash it
went.)
But for many in our fair country, today is not a day of labor or shopping or grilling. Today is a day of survival. Of waiting to be rescued from water-filled homes, of trying to reunite with their loved ones, of mourning friends or family who died in devastating Hurricane Harvey. They’re trying to survive in some overcrowded shelter and trying not to ponder (too much, at least) what remains of their homes, their belongings, their lives. Businesses aren’t doing business (even on workdays), and some workers are trying to figure out how to keep their businesses from exploding. Literally.
And in the midst of it all,
survivors know what their priorities are, and who is still worthy of being
praised, even in the midst of heartache, calamity, fears, and unknowns.
Since this is Music Monday, I want
to share the following YouTube video with all of my readers.
Gospel singers Victoria White and
Marquist Taylor went on a mission in Houston. To a shelter. Actually, to several shelters. They have gifts,
and they were called by God to use them. And they did. These two have the voices of angels and ooze
the love, joy, and hope of Jesus. They went to lift spirits, and they
succeeded.
Enjoy!
And there are a couple of Casting
Crown songs that are appropriate for the events of this week too.
“Jesus, Hold Me Now" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPadSoXbp-4
“Until the Whole World Hears” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7qi2KlUffs
“Just Be Held” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ
Then put your hands together for their “Thrive” song! Yes, we can survive and thrive in the storms of life, no matter what kind they are. It might take a while to recover, but with God all things are possible. And we'll get there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M
Are these not
the most amazing, persevering and hopeful cowboys you’ve ever seen?!
And then there
are those who possess an un-squelchable sense of humor and find an opportunity in everything!
Make it a great
week of labor and rest and Thriving! And keep praying for everyone in the great
State of Texas!
I’ll be right back here next week, God willing!
Blessings,
Andrea
May you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul
prospers (3 John 2).
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