Today is Labor Day in the USA. It’s a day to thank our workers. Thank all who make life better By their diligence … never shirkers!
Regardless of the job they have, They perform with willing heart. I’m filled with gratitude for them. They carefully do their part.
During COVID we took special care To thank our healthcare workers all. We should continue to thank them And all the others whether large or small.
No job is less important than another. All are crucial for the bottom line. Teamwork, passion, determination Are ingredients that make the results shine.
But the worker who inspires me most Is the on the job person who strives To make the world a better place By interacting with others’ lives.
Yes, it can be done at home sometimes, But what about when you want to dine out? The chef and wait staff better be there, Or you’ll be high and dry… without!
So, today I want to shout out a thanks To all the workers who make life sweeter. Here is one… our Dolly Wolly in Switzerland. You should go to her place and meet her!!
This is what it looked like then they bought it. Now the restaurant has taken on a new look. And De’s husband, Andre’ is the chef who Puts out superb dishes – he’s quite the cook!
Here are De and Andre’ with some family Sitting down to enjoy a meal… You can tell by the empty plates and smiles How good it was; how it made them feel!
So, Happy Labor Day, all you workers Who strive to serve the public with care- Whether out in front and quite visible Or hidden in back rooms, with work to share!
We appreciate the way you aim to please With passion and with determination. What you do is important and beneficial Regardless of your chosen occupation.
Thank you!
Hugs from JanBeek (volunteering at the Food Bank)
Volunteer work counts, too! Stay-at-home Mom work counts double!!
I’ll get to it next. That”s just what I tell myself. But, when does next come?
I often delay Doing what needs to be done – With good excuses.
Is that familiar? And I’m not the only one. Bob knows that routine!
“Just put a towel out – It will soak up the water. I am going skiing.”
That’s two years ago. A sump pump is what’s needed. Will a snow fence work?
This is it last week – After putting up snow fence – Before last snow fall.
Please get me a towel To soak up the melting snow Before it warms up!
Procrastination Lives in my part of the world Inside – not just out!
No, not my office – But it certainly could be. Mine’s almost as bad!
Do you have places That you are sure to avoid? Rather do your blog?
You are not alone. It’s an immortal problem. Procrastination!!
The Bible addressed the issue:
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God… is with you.”
1 Chronicles 28:20
Pray for God to help You and me do what we must That we’re avoiding.
Get it off your chest. Step up – Act wholeheartedly – Just tackle the mess!
I promise I will – After finishing coffee. Hah! Ignore the mess…
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. Now, go get busy!! See ya tomorrow (God willing)
P.S. By the way, did you realize as you were reading this that every three line stanza is a kind of Haiku with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5? If you didn’t that’s OK. It means I didn’t force it. That was fun!
Rigidity lacks The ability to spring – Spring up and bounce back.
Flexibility Is living life on the edge – Edge of Adventure!
When Bob & I were much younger, we were living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was happy in my teaching job, but Bob was restless. He had been coaching wrestling and teaching drivers’ education for about nine years. He’d had the “Seven Year Itch” for a couple years… looking for a way to feel compensated for the tons of extra hours he put in as a coach. But, coaches don’t get paid more than a measly $500 stipend for the gajillion extra hours. They watch the guy who comes and goes with the bells. In at 8: am and out at 3:00 pm. It was discouraging after a while. Love his students as he did, it was not “well with his soul.” He wanted the freedom to be compensated fairly for his efforts. So, he left teaching and returned to the family farm. Farming allowed him the flexibility he was craving.
He went back to the family farm … almonds, walnuts, and mainly – beekeeping. Producing honey, selling his bees’ product, scheduling his own time… Ah yes, the flexibility was good for his soul. He thrived!
Flexibility Is important for your soul. Keeps your life limber.
Retirement brings flexibility
The freedom to fish Or go four-wheeling with friends: Retirement JOY!
Are you flexible? Can you readjust your life When it feels too stiff?
Do you feel you’re trapped In a spot not fulfilling? Make your soul feel well.
Listen to your heart. Life’s too short to be rutted – Stuck and unhappy!
Just dig yourself out. Uncover many options – Start digging today!
There’s a world waiting For the flexible and strong To step out in faith.
Know you are not stuck In an unfulfilling place. Exercise options!
Do some exploring. Embrace flexibility. You have just one life.
Look for your purpose Find it in your prayer-filled time Embrace Flexibility.
You were born to start The work set out just for you. God bless you today!
Just live your own dream – Not the dream of someone else. Step out in faith now!
Today’s sermon was based on the story of two sons, asked to help their dad. One said yes and didn’t do it, the other said no, but did it anyway. Do you know that story? Imagine those were your sons.
Which of the two sons would you consider trustworthy? How would you react to their replies and subsequent behavior?
Our pastor, Rev. Steve Hundley, at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, MT spoke on that topic today, inspired by the story in Matthew 21: 28-31.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
As usual, I listened to the sermon and took my notes in poetry. He started out by telling us about his grandmother’s advice to him when he announced (after graduating from college) that he had decided to go to seminary:
“When you stand up to preach, Don’t scold those who don’t come. They aren’t there to hear it,” My grandmother advised (she wasn’t dumb!).
“When you preach – remember To stomp on your own feet first. When you do that,” my grandma said, “You’ll serve living water to those who thirst.”
In today’s scripture, we heard Of two sons and their replies. One said yes and didn’t do it. The other, “No!” but did it. Which one cries?
The one who failed to follow through Was the one who’ll live with regret. Unlike him, we need to be obedient. Don’t say yes – and then forget!
Paul Tillick said, “In every human heart Is a faint recollection of our Maker.” If that’s true, we can see God Even in the disobedient faker.
The second son may have said “Yes, but…” In his response of a silent “No,” Other things may have taken precedence, But he didn’t want his “No” to show.
How many times do we say yes And then fail to follow through? Better to say No and then do it. I want to be trustworthy; how about you?
What jobs are you being asked to do? Are they tasks you look forward to? Or are you dragging your feet?
Today’s sermon at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church was titled, “The Amazing and Exasperating Grace of God.” I’ve certainly heard God’s grace described as AMAZING before. That’s typical. But, exasperating? When? How?
Do you know the story of the “Workers in the Vineyard”? It’s found in Matthew 20: 1-16. Essentially it tells of a landowner who needed extra workers in his vineyard. He agreed to pay the ones who started picking grapes that morning a silver coin for their day’s labor.
Later, with just an hour left in the work day, he realized the workers needed help to finish the job before sundown, so he hired a bunch more workers to help finish the job. This last bunch were the “left-overs” who had not been hired earlier. We can only imagine why they may have been left behind.
At the end of the day, the ones who came last (and had only worked an hour) were paid first. Each received a silver coin.
The ones who had worked all day saw that – and figured they would get more. They probably expected ten times more, since they had worked a ten hour day. When all they received was the same pay as the ones who worked only the last hour, they complained bitterly.
On that story, Rev. Steve Hundley based his sermon, and I took notes (as I do each Sunday) in poetry as I listened. Here they are:
The Amazing and Exasperating Grace of God
Reading the Word of God daily Helps you discover joy in life; But some difficult passages Cause misunderstanding and strife.
Like the story of the workers Who were paid equal wages Whether they worked one hour Or ten… Imagine the rages!
It’s hard to understand How such treatment is fair. Jesus explained the boss could Pay the wages anyway he cared.
Likewise, those who come lately To the Kingdom of God on earth Will receive the same blessings as Those who served the Lord since birth.
Does this seem a fair idea? Are deathbed conversions real? Maybe some of them are fake, But it’s not up to me or how I feel.
This parable isn’t about the workers. It’s about the generous vineyard boss Who is a symbol of our Gracious God. He focuses on the workers, not the cost.
Our God calls out the left-overs And tells them, “I have room for you.” God’s amazing grace and love are real, And they’re available to all – not just a few.
Load me up, Lord. Haul me to your vineyard. I’m ready to work! Amen.
Have you ever found God’s Amazing Grace to be Exasperating?
Or is there a Bible story that you find difficult to understand? Tell me about it.
Have a Super Sunday. Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow.
This post is dedicated to my #1 Grandson.
He recently graduated from college,
received his well-earned diploma,
and has a couple of part-time jobs,
equaling 100% employment.
It was not an easy road,
but he has tenacity…
He stuck with it.
He did it!
I am so proud of him!
Happiness is living life true
In a way that allows you
To be all God made you to be
And doing it on a path of integrity.
No one says it will be easy.
Sometimes it’s light and breezy,
But mostly it’s just hard work
And determination not to shirk.
So, run the race of life with grit.
Set your goal and stick to it.
When times are tough, keep going –
You crossed the finish line knowing
You Have the Power!
Congratulations, Mike!
Did you, or do you have a person in your life who used their grit and tenacity to achieve a goal in spite of all odds? This post is for you!
And if you are in the midst of a struggle – wondering if the blood, sweat, tears, and heartache, setbacks and discouragements are worth it. Believe in your goals. Believe in yourself. Stick with it.
No hero stands alone Each stands on the shoulders Of the ones who came before
So, to become a hero, Decide who is worthy to emulate And then – copy, work hard, and endure
CoCO is a tennis star Who took Wimbledon by storm But she acknowledged others
The Vanessa and Serenas of this world Opened doors for the CoCos And now they can walk through
She played on Center Court And although she didn’t take all, She made her presence known
There will be other center courts And other heroes to emulate Just know… No Hero Stands Alone!
Here is one of my heroes:
My Precious Husband
He’s my hero because: . He exemplifies unconditional love . He is a hard-worker, a faithful provider . He’s a wonderful Dad, Grampa & GGB . He attends church with me and loves the Lord . He never lets me down
Yes, I love my gardener!
He does such careful work –
I never see him stoppin’
Or takin’ time to shirk.
.
He keeps the trees so green,
The lawn so trimmed and bright.
He fertilizes flowers
And trims dead ones just right.
.
He takes great care of all;
Pulls weeds when they just creep in.
I love my gardener so much –
I think I’d better keep him!
Don’t you?
Bet you wish you had a gardener like mine, huh?
Well – you can’t have him!
It’s my sweet husband, Bob – busy at work –
changing a sprinkler head.
(Don’t ask him to smile right now;
He says, “I’m busy!”)
