As I am sure every reader knows, this weekend is Labor Day weekend. Seriously, I didn’t know very much about Labor Day except that it is always the first Monday in September which, in my day, always heralded the week that kids went back to school.
So far I bet I haven’t told you anything new, right? So I decided to google Labor Day, and I found a very nice history write-up on our US Department of Labor website (http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm). Here’s how they define it: “Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” Isn’t that great? It is a tribute to every working American!
I found some other points of interest on the website. Did you know that the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882? And guess where – New York City! New Yorkers have had a huge part in making Labor Day a national holiday by urging other labor unions to follow their example. New York was also the first state to legislate Labor Day’s yearly observance. Soon other states followed suit, and finally on June 28, 1894 Labor Day became a national holiday to be observed the first Monday of September.
Ok, so maybe you all knew about that. But did you know that in 1909 the American Federation of Labor held a convention and declared the Sunday preceding Labor Day to be Labor Day Sunday? This particular Sunday is to be dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.”
This is an astounding statement and has far reaching implications. It means that before we celebrate a day off from our labors and pay tribute to those whose work strengthens the fabric and quality of our life in the United States we should become knowledgeable about labor issues and their impact on society. Higher education, availability and access to employment, fair wages, and on the job safety are every citizen’s concern. We should learn where we might make a greater difference and follow through in our actions.
Ok, so that’s the educational piece. What about the spiritual?
One aspect of the spiritual is to pray. So I offer up the following prayer that you may want pray on Labor Day Sunday:
Sovereign God, after you completed the work of creation, you surveyed what you had accomplished and pronounced it very good. Today we pause to survey what our work has wrought, to seek your guidance and to give thanks. We thank you for the blessings of steady work, fair compensation, supportive coworkers and the satisfaction of knowing our labors make a difference.
Thank you for the labor of all the people who make our lives better: for inventors and caregivers, teachers and researchers, guards, guides, servers, growers, manufacturers, planners, rescuers, creators, preservers, counselors, healers and so many more. Some of us don't feel as though our work counts for much. Help us see how you and your people are served through our humble labors, or else help us find a job where that can happen.
Some of us here today are struggling over our employment -- or lack of it. Go before us to open doors and make connections that will result in the opportunity for satisfying work. Some of us have defects of character that get in the way of fulfilling our potential. Open our eyes to see ourselves as others do, and give us the humility and courage to develop what is lacking in our personality.
Some of us have jobs, but fear we will be downsized right out onto the street. Help us fight off the debilitating effects of fear, and help us create our own opportunities for the future.
Some of us are not able to work, and feel terribly cut off, even useless. Help us focus on what we still can do, and never let any of us imagine that our human worth is earned through our own work, instead of by your gracious work of love in Jesus Christ. Continue your work in us and through us, that all our works may be pleasing in your sight. Amen. (from the Sourcebook of Worship Resources, Vol.2. Communication Resources, Inc. Canton, OH)
Have a blessed Labor Day weekend!
