Growing up in Louisiana, I was surrounded by water: two blocks to the bayou, another half block to the river, and pools in almost all my friends’ backyards. I think I was about six years old when my dad gave me the sage advice of “don’t drown.” It was hollered half in jest as I ran precariously down an old dock and launched myself—life vest securely fastened—into the muddy water. Sometimes it is the most obvious advice that makes one feel the most loved.
Sometimes it is the most obvious advice that makes one feel the most loved.
Another drop of obvious wisdom came from Dad in the form of “don’t work yourself to the bone.” I think this was around the time I was spending hours shoveling shavings out of my horse’s stall. I had to do that in order to remove the mats, so I could put lime down to dry out the wet soil beneath them. He told me it wasn’t going to hurt Scooter to sleep outside in the pasture one night anymore than it bothered me to go camping. It was an important first lesson in pacing oneself.
Labor Day as an act of love
Funnily enough, Labor Day seems to be in the exact same vein of obvious advice from Dad. Created in the wake of riots for better working conditions, specifically for shorter workdays, Labor Day began as a time to celebrate all that labor unions had accomplished to prioritize rest and safety in the workplace. Recognizing that our lives are closely linked with that of others, workers went on strike en masse to demand the changes.
Exhausted workers don’t make safe products. Unsafe products don’t benefit consumers. It is no wonder, then, that the beginning of the collect for Labor Day as found in the Book of Common Prayer states,
“Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good….”
Book of Common Prayer, p. 261
Have you ever seen a pool covered by a safety net? The nets are stretched just perfectly across the surface of the pool so that a small child can jump on it and not drown. They are almost trampoline tight. The nets can even sustain the weight of multiple adults! Companies began making these tightly linked nets to benefit nosey neighbors, er um, I mean the common good.
Our labor of love
Are we not at times called to be that net for others? Are we not to pay attention to our coworkers who might be treading water and take steps to throw them a lifeline? This is exactly the kind of thing Jesus of Nazareth asks all who follow him to do.
The collect for Labor Day is again instructive:
“As we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers.” We achieve so much more for the common good when we are looking out for and honoring one another.”
Book of Common Prayer, p. 261
May the Holy Spirit illumine your life and labor, may the Holy Spirit guide you to those in need of your support and care, and may the Holy Spirit provide you with rest when you need it.
Amen.
