School just started and we already get a three-day weekend!  Yippee!!!

Labor Day is always such a bittersweet holiday for me since it marks the end of summer (boo), but the beginning of football season (hooray).  In effect, I’m really replacing an awesome time of year of family vacations, swimming and margaritas with my favorite sport of all time!

Okay, so maybe I’m missing the point of this holiday.  Don’t think I even mentioned the word labor anywhere in the above sentence.  Hmmm.  Let’s have a quick history lesson.

Labor Day originated on September 5, 1882 with approximately 10,000 laborers in attendance and a parade in New York City to improve working conditions and obtain better salaries for the American labor force, according to the Library of Congress.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor sites 1894 as the year Congress voted to make Labor Day a national holiday that would always fall on the first Monday of September.

It’s safe to assume the working conditions of the past were not stellar.

So, all this history got me thinking, “Do I have a thankful attitude towards working?”

Uh…not usually (insert frowny face).

Basically, this history lesson tells me that I live in a better time than my forefathers did.  In today’s world, I have the opportunity to work for a competitive wage in a safe workplace under strict guidelines.

The problem is that many of us take these reforms for granted.  In fact, thankfulness and gratefulness is absent in many of our lives when it comes to our jobs…argh!  Sometimes the truth stinks!

Of course, those who have lost their employment for any length of time due to the economic downturn might have a different attitude.

However, what if we tackled each day at our job with a thankful mind-set and a mission to bring joy to others in our profession?

Wouldn’t that be fantastic?  Wouldn’t our days be better and more fulfilling?  Wouldn’t the world be a nicer place – even if just in our own place of business?

So, how can we implement a positively appreciative approach in our occupation daily?  (Obviously, retirees, unemployed persons and stay-at-home moms are encouraged to do the following, too!)

• Earnestly look for the good in all things and in everyone.
• Simply refuse to be negative.
• Sincerely be thankful for the day.

God makes it very clear that we all have a job to do (no matter our position in life) and slackers have no value to the glory of His Kingdom.  See below….

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.  Proverbs 10:4

The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. Proverbs 21:25

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128:2

So, this Labor Day as you are taking pleasure in a day away from your normal job and activities, thank your Maker for the many blessings bestowed on you!  Moreover, be genuinely grateful to enjoy another of His glorious days!!

May you have a blessed Labor Day!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 12:11 – Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.