I did quite a bit over the weekend. It began on Friday when I attended a night vigil for a friend’s late father. The host asked me to bring some Puff Puff and Beans, and while frying the Puff Puff I ate far more than my waistline appreciated.
At the vigil we sat, listened to music, talked and ate—then ate some more. I left feeling like a fattened calf.
On Saturday we attended a barbecue at a family friend’s house and enjoyed meat fresh off the grill. For a moment I silently thanked God that I hadn’t been swayed completely by that documentary that almost turned me against meat. My habits around meat have changed, but I was happy to indulge in ribs and soya/suya. I even picked up a new trick for making perfect soya that I can’t wait to try out, inspired by a tip I found on how to become a better cook.
Sunday brought more company: a friend and her family visited, and I ended up eating again. So the weekend was full of delicious food, good conversations and warmth. How was your weekend?
This morning I woke up to Labor Day here in the United States. I’m grateful for a day that recognizes work. As my high school principal used to say, “there is dignity in labor.”
Working is inherently dignified. We weren’t made for idleness; we were made to work. God placed Adam in a garden to tend it, and each of us has our own gardens to care for.
Rest feels better when it follows meaningful work, and enjoyment is deeper when it comes after effort. Weekends full of food and fellowship are sweeter when balanced by days spent being productive.
I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work.
That said, work isn’t always easy. Many mornings something tries to pull you away from your tasks. I’ve felt it myself—the pull to stay in bed, to avoid cooking, to skip teaching my kids, to postpone making videos, to put off writing or sit in front of the TV instead. A post I read calls that force “the resistance,” which is a helpful way to name it.
Despite the resistance, I get up and go to work. That’s how I live. I didn’t come into this world to be a couch potato, and neither did you.
We’re here to be productive and to contribute. There’s dignity in the work you do. So rise, show up and do the work you were made for, my friend.
Wishing you a very Happy Labor Day—may your days be filled with meaningful work and the satisfaction that comes from it!