The Work of our Hands

            Many years ago before cable television and when most persons only had less than a dozen television stations to watch, there was a television show called “Dobie Gillis”.     One of the characters on the show was named Maynard G. Krebs and was played by Bob Denver.   As I remember Maynard G.  Krebs,  he always had an adverse reaction when the word “work” was said.    Maynard G. Krebs was a character who wanted to avoid work like most of us want to avoid a toothache. 

            I think about Maynard G. Krebs as another Labor Day approaches.  I give thanks to God for those who work and add  to my quality of life.    While many folks are looking forward to having a long weekend with a view of the mountains or water,   Labor Day is a time to celebrate the American worker.    Perhaps there was a time when what people ate, wore, and lived in was a direct result of the work of their own hand.   I think it generally true that such a time is no more in the part of the world I live.   Most of us everyday eat food that someone else produced or prepared.    Most of us wear clothes that someone else made and live in homes that someone else built.  In many cases,  we know not the name of the person that produced that food, built our home, or made our clothes.   We are indebted to workers whose names we know not. 

            The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus found in all four gospels.   The stories are similar in nature, but Johns gospel tells us something the other gospels do not mention:  the few loaves and few fish that Jesus used to feed thousands of men, women, and children were the direct result of the generosity of a little boy who shared his food with Jesus.    As Labor Day comes, I encourage you to enjoy a holiday and time away in your favorite places.  However,  I also encourage you to take a moment to give thanks to God for the worker who adds to your quality of life.  You may not know their name anymore than we know the name of a little boy whose food  blessed by Jesus fed thousands long ago.     Have a joy-filled week and Labor Day.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:  Lord and God, thank you for the blessing of work and the difference it makes in our lives.   I give thanks for those whose name I know not who bless me through the work of their hands; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.