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Monday, September 2, 2013

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

21 comments:

  1. Great lessons! Something that should be hidden in all of our hearts.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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    1. Amy Jo,

      So GOOD to hear from you! And I agree with you.

      Hope you are well and that you've had a wonderful and blessed summer.

      Sherry

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  2. Amazing post Mrs. Lee! And yes, Mama read both of those books to us and I remember those very things. Love the first quote, too. ;D Blessings.

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    1. Oh, aren't family read aloud times wonderful? Such happy memories are made while sitting around a room with family members and listening to wonderful stories. Especially when popcorn's included.:) Blessings to you and yours.

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  3. Very interesting blog and love your farmhouse and the way your children help in the everyday living and work.What a blessing it is to be able to sit and enjoy reading your blog and seeing your pictures!I hope and pray to someday soon be able to have my children out in the country on a farm and enjoy all of it! Rebekah

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    Replies
    1. Rebekah,

      Thank you! And it's so good to hear from you. Your comments are always so very kind. And may the Lord bless you and your family as you wait and pray.

      Blessings,

      Sherry

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  4. Thank you so much for encouraging us...we are so happy to read your blog again, we missed you over the Summer. Even though we've never met I feel like you are friends. Someone said to me the other day that they feel sad that our family works so much and that we probably needed more "fun" in life. I thought how my husband told me before we married that work was fun for him, I felt the same way, and now so does our daughter:)
    God bless you all,
    Shirley Cox in Virginia
    A good days labor brings its own rewards, like good sleep, and a contented heart!

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    1. Shirley,

      Love your comments and the quote you left at the end. So true!

      And I can relate to your thoughts in regards to work. Many of our fondest outings and *vacations* involved working with others on some sort of project. The work becomes part of the fun! And my husband felt the same. He loved to work and he made work fun. Sort of like the old-time workings, I suppose!

      And I thank you again for your sweet comments.:) You are a blessing...

      Sherry

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  5. Great timing on this post. My husband and I have been discussing work ethic and how to build a good on in our children. Do you have any first hand advice for instilling good strong work habits in young children under 7?

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    1. Emily,

      Great question! I'll be thinking on that and get back with you soon.

      Also, I've enjoyed keeping up with you and your lovely family, and I so enjoyed reading your birth story.

      Hope everyone's well!

      Blessings,

      Sherry

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  6. I love your post!! It really encourages us to work harder. Love the quotes and the pics!
    -Faith

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  7. Wow! Mummy still reads to us too and we love even now!We start reading Farmer Boy every year around this time along with The Little House on the Prairie books and, one of our favorites, The Old Squires Farm! It is a family tradition and even my brothers who are in there late twenties love to listen. And yes, it makes it even better when there is popcorn! She also reds during power outages.

    Love,
    HP

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    Replies
    1. HP,

      Thanks so much for leaving a comment! And a book recommendation!! I ordered The Old Squires Farm and it arrived today. Can't wait to read it aloud to the family.

      Blessings,

      Mrs. Lee

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    2. Dear Mrs. Lee,

      Oh I am glad! I do hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as my family has.

      Love to all,
      HP

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  8. Hi Sherry. It feels like forever since I have sat to catch up with blogging friends! I always enjoy your post and this one is in exception. :D The "work" quotes are inspiring and encouraging...that is a character trait we see less and less in our society. It is such a blessing that our children have a good work ethic and one which will continue to bless in the years ahead as they grow, marry, have families of their own...

    Maybe one of your more current posts will update on your farm store. How are things going? The batch of soap above looks lovely.

    Looking forward to catching up!

    Continued blessings on all your put your hands to do.

    Jarnette

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  9. Thank you for sharing your wise words. I am forever trying to balance our homeschool. I tend to push the children to do too much 'book work' & forget how much they will get out of physical work alongside me. I wish I could sit with you for an afternoon and ask you a million questions!
    Have a wonderful, blessed day & thanks for your gentle teaching here on your blog ~ I appreciate it!
    Blessings
    Renata:)

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  10. I gratefully discovered Raymond Moore's books, early in my homeschooling career, which spanned about 34 years. He was a voice crying in the wilderness of choices, and I clung to it like a lantern in a dark forest. I have not been disappointed.

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