There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also I saw is from the hand of God. for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment. Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 ESV

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

Happy Labor Day! Today is an American holiday, you and your parents have the day off of school and work! What did your family do to celebrate? Did you have a cookout with family and friends? Or maybe you went to visit with family that lives farther away? Or did you just stay home and enjoy your family and rest?

In our first verses, King Solomon is telling us that we should eat and drink and enjoy our toil. Toil is another word for labor or work. If you are in school, your toil is all your schoolwork and homework. If you do chores and help at home, you are working, too. So, you are “laboring” and today we celebrate you on Labor Day!

Our second verse was written by Paul to the church at Colossae. Paul says that one way to enjoy your work is to have the attitude that you aren’t just working for your teacher or your parents, but that the work you do is for Jesus! Wouldn’t we all work harder and do our best if we remembered that we are working for Jesus? Me, too!

Today, talk with your parents and/or grandparents. What kinds of work have they done? What kinds of work do you do? What are your favorites and not so favorites? This next week as you do your schoolwork and your work at home think about enjoying your work and doing your work for Jesus.

But most of all today, celebrate you and everyone who works. Happy Labor Day!

Blessings and joy as you work for the Lord!

Fun Facts:  Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September.

The first Labor Day was celebrated in1882 in New York City with a parade that almost had no music until a marching band arrived.

Labor Day officially became a federal holiday in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed the paperwork to make it a holiday.