Monday, Labor Day, marks the un-official end to summer. The kids will be, or have already been in school. Schools supplies are bought and packed. And whether they were ready or not, Labor day weekend is here and so is the new school year. But what is Labor Day really all about? Is it just another day off from work? Is it the last opportunity to go to the beach? Is it the end of “Family time?”
The truth of the matter with regards to Labor Day is this. It is a day, set aside each first Monday of September to celebrate the working men and women of our great nation. It is a day to celebrate the hard work of the American labor force as it worked to create, and to maintain, this nation that we know today. The homes we live in, the cars we drive, the appliances we use in our homes. The roads we drive on and the sidewalks we walk on, all built by hardworking individuals to make every day life a little easier for all of us. It’s also about the hardworking men and women who don’t always get holidays off because they are busy working as police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, nurses, doctors, and of course, our military, protecting us and keeping us healthy as we celebrate. I left out the thousands, even millions of people who work in other “service” related industries because, I believe that they should have the day off to celebrate the hard work they do the other 364 days of the year. (Of course they should have Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day off as well.)
Labor Day began in New York City with the labor Unions coming together to create a, “Working Man’s Holiday.” This was first established in 1882 with a parade, a picnic, and fireworks. There were also speeches by the labor unions leadership. This tradition continued, and quickly became a holiday that the individual states adopted. Then, in 1894, congress passed a law creating the first Monday of September as a national holiday to celebrate the hardworking men and women of our country who keep us moving forward as a nation through innovation and hard work.
So, as you are spending this weekend, and Monday, with your families, don’t let the moment pass with out remembering that it was our Grandfathers, and Great-Grandfathers, and Great-Great Grandfathers who, through much sweat and tears and hard work set the ground work for all the things in this country that we enjoy today. Take time to talk to your kids about what hard work means. Teach them about integrity and a strong work ethic. Teach them that when you start something you finish it. We, as parents and grand-parents, should desire to build the next generation of workers as ones who will work hard for all of us. A nation of workers who will work for, and help their neighbors.
Colossians 3:22-24 says’ “ Bondservants,(servants, workers) obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Parentheses mine)
Have a blessed Labor Day Weekend. I’ll Talk to you soon.
The truth of the matter with regards to Labor Day is this. It is a day, set aside each first Monday of September to celebrate the working men and women of our great nation. It is a day to celebrate the hard work of the American labor force as it worked to create, and to maintain, this nation that we know today. The homes we live in, the cars we drive, the appliances we use in our homes. The roads we drive on and the sidewalks we walk on, all built by hardworking individuals to make every day life a little easier for all of us. It’s also about the hardworking men and women who don’t always get holidays off because they are busy working as police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, nurses, doctors, and of course, our military, protecting us and keeping us healthy as we celebrate. I left out the thousands, even millions of people who work in other “service” related industries because, I believe that they should have the day off to celebrate the hard work they do the other 364 days of the year. (Of course they should have Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day off as well.)
Labor Day began in New York City with the labor Unions coming together to create a, “Working Man’s Holiday.” This was first established in 1882 with a parade, a picnic, and fireworks. There were also speeches by the labor unions leadership. This tradition continued, and quickly became a holiday that the individual states adopted. Then, in 1894, congress passed a law creating the first Monday of September as a national holiday to celebrate the hardworking men and women of our country who keep us moving forward as a nation through innovation and hard work.
So, as you are spending this weekend, and Monday, with your families, don’t let the moment pass with out remembering that it was our Grandfathers, and Great-Grandfathers, and Great-Great Grandfathers who, through much sweat and tears and hard work set the ground work for all the things in this country that we enjoy today. Take time to talk to your kids about what hard work means. Teach them about integrity and a strong work ethic. Teach them that when you start something you finish it. We, as parents and grand-parents, should desire to build the next generation of workers as ones who will work hard for all of us. A nation of workers who will work for, and help their neighbors.
Colossians 3:22-24 says’ “ Bondservants,(servants, workers) obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Parentheses mine)
Have a blessed Labor Day Weekend. I’ll Talk to you soon.
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