Thoughts On Labor Day And Good Work Ethic

Here in America, many celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of every September.

And while there's a bit of debate as to who actually started it, we do know that President Grover Cleveland signed the bill making it a National holiday in 1894.

This holiday occurs just as summer is winding down and many Americans enjoy an extra long weekend and maybe a cookout or some sort of time spent with family and friends.

And while our family will be spending time with friends this evening and also enjoying a time of learning, we've been laboring around the farm this morning and thinking about the great value in learning a good work ethic and about the intrinsic value of hard work.

Many of you have probably heard of Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Moore and their studies concerning children and education.  They very much believed in balancing study, work and service.  And not just mental work.  MANUAL work. 

They believed that study should be matched with readiness, manual work/ entrepreneurship should get equal time, and that hard work and selfless service in the home and community build character like nothing else can.

And while the work opportunities in our homes and communities will probably differ in many ways, opportunities abound for everyone.  

Our family has always enjoyed keeping a read aloud going, and many of the books read many years ago and  to the oldest ones are making the rounds again.  I especially love those which model a good work ethic and respect.  Do you remember Five Little Peppers?  The children are all very eager to help their mother and one another and whining is not an issue.  Refreshing!  We also love Farmer Boy.  Do you remember the lesson Almonzo learned from his father concerning what a half dollar is?  "It's work, son," Father said.  "That's what money is; it's hard work."

Father reminds Almonzo how many potatoes had to be raised in order to earn that half dollar.  he reminds him of the process-from start to finish.  He teaches him the value of hard work and wise spending.

What a benefit it is to those who are learning  to work alongside their parents and siblings and who grow up knowing just how valued their service is to their family, church and community.:)

And as a family, we're reminded today of the need to pass the knowledge and skills and good work ethic on to the next generation.  If's very easy to call on those who are already very capable and who've already learned the skills needed to carry out tasks.  But the younger ones also love to learn and do, and I believe they're done an injustice when we pollute their thinking and give the impression that work isn't a good and noble and honorable thing.  And how very grateful we are for the privilege of learning and laboring together.  Included below are some quotes concerning work/labor.  Enjoy. And have a very blessed day!

1.  Elbow grease gives the best polish.

 

 

2.  Every man's work shall be made manifest.  1 Corinthians 3:13

3.  The labourer is worthy of his hire.  Luke 10:7

4.  Many hands make light work.

5.  There is no substitute for hard work.  Thomas Edison

6.  The average person puts only 25 percent of his energy and ability into his work.  The world takes off
      it's hat to those who put in more than 50 percent of their capacity, and stands on its head for those
      few and far between souls who devote 100 percent.  Andrew Carnegie

7.  He who would eat the kernel must crack the shell.  Latin proverb

8.  If a man will not work, he shall not eat.  2 Thessalonians 3:10

9. Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted.

10. The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.  John Ruskin

11. If there is no wind, row.  Latin proverb

12.  By the work one knows the workman. Jean de La Fontaine

13. He that would have the fruit must climb the tree.  Dr. Thomas Fuller

14.  The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.  Vincent Lombardi

15. The greatest weariness comes from work not done.  Eric Huffer

16. Hard work is painful when life is devoid of purpose.  But when you live for something greater than yourself and the gratification of your own ego, then hard work becomes a labor of love.  Steve Pavlina

17.  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for man.  Colossians 3:23