Labor Day

Today is Labor Day.  Horray for a day off!!  But have you ever thought about what it means?  To labor is to work, usually towards something.  What do you labor for?

Some of us labor in our paying jobs.  You might wonder why I say "paying".  Well, we all know there are a ton of jobs out there that pay us nothing more than a smile.  When you labor in your paying job, what is your goal?  Do you ever think of those who have labored before you?  I have been in the work force before and I remember those times when it was just 9 to 5, I did my job and I went home.  I also remember hating my job...ugh, it took all day, I had nothing to do and really, I'm pretty sure my brain was going to mush.  However, I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and be a great enlisted member.  I desired to push forward, to labor to be one of the best.  I hope that you labor to be the best at whatever it is you do in your workplace.

Now I labor in my love for my family.  How, you ask can you labor for your family?  I always thought if you loved your family then it wasn't work.  I discovered this year that I was SO wrong!  I labor in my love of my husband by keeping my house as clean as I can, by cooking dinner, by listening when he needs to vent after a long day at work.  Do I always want to clean the house?  No.  Do I really want to cook dinner every night?  Heck no.  Do I do it anyway?  Yes.  Some days better than others, but it can still be work. 

I labor for my children...some days at just not burying them in the backyard.  Yes, I often threaten to bury my kids when they go nuts.  Now with homeschooling my kids, I can honestly say I LABOR!  I have to have a schedule for each day.  I have to teach them something new or at least reinforce a newer concept.  Somehow each day, I work to make sure they don't kill each other.  (You know, that whole "I'm stuck with my sisters ALL.  DAY.  LONG."  concept)  I love my kids...don't always like them, but I love them.   I'm proud of them...most days!  Do you see a pattern here? 

I labor with my schooling.  Trying to find the time and energy to read, write and increase my brain capacity.  I don't always do it well, but somehow over the last 4 or 5 years I have found a way to at least just get it done. 

I guess the point is, is that we all labor for something.  No one sits around doing nothing, each and everyday.  Even if they did I imagine that could be considered labor in and of itself.  Is my labor better than yours?  No.  Is your labor better than your neighbor's?  No.  I think on Labor Day we must remember that we each labor in our own way.  We labor how we see fit.  We labor for different reasons.  We labor with different intensities. 

Labor for you.  Not for those who are looking and not for those who would compare themselves to you.  Just for you.  Figure out what is important in your life.  What is it that you have as goals?  Do you want to be a manager?  A mom?  A homeschooler?  A volunteer?  Do you labor for God?  Are you content with what you labor for? 

I know, more questions than answers.  However, I know what I labor for and the purpose of this is not to just vent about me, but to make you who would read this, think.  So think...not about your husband, not your best friend, your neighbor, not even your parents.  Just think about what you labor for and why.

Enjoy the day folks!