Labor Day: The Value of Work

We are so blessed as a family to be able to work at homeschooling our children, finding productive jobs for our teens, and take advantage of some very beneficial volunteer endeavors.  We've always taught our children to help out whenever they can.  Being able to homeschool has helped us display and dialogue about a hard work ethic.  Whenever we observed someone with a lazy attitude, we knew that this was not the way Christ has taught us to serve others.  You can see it in people all around you when your out and about.  One can easily tell if a person enjoys their job or not.

In Maryland, I've noticed that the employees who work at Chic-Fil-A in our area are much more pleasant, confident, and timely than other drive through windows we've visited.  Have you noticed anything similar in your area of the woods?  It is a stark contrast between the two.  It is very interesting.

We also have a local gas station with an anniversary date of their start up this month in our town.  They still come out and put the gas in your car for you.  There is no self serve.  It is just a small no-frills gas station and they are so friendly and quick.  I want to bring them a birthday cake this month because I'm so grateful for their old fashioned service.

Some of the volunteer work and teen jobs my children were able to participate in are listed below.  Maybe you can get some ideas for your own kids.  Let's honor the jobs we've held in the past and value the work we are able to participate in on this labor day.  Here is my list:

1)  My daughters assisted me teaching a dance class for pre-schoolers at a local dance studio.

2)  My husband worked with my sons in boy scouts and worked hard every year with them to sell Christmas trees and wreaths.  Two of them received their Eagles and for their Eagle project were able to build a Stations of the Cross with a nice brick path up at our Church.  It was hard work.

3)  When the kids were young, I was a Pastoral Visitor at my Church.  We were able to bring weekly communion to the frail and elderly.  We would pray over them and get to know them.

4)  My daughter was able to help at our local American Legion serving food to customers on bingo night.  Veterans are wonderfully hard workers and so friendly.

5)  My husband was a swimmer growing up and our three oldest children were all able to be life guards for their first job at our local swimming pool.

6)  My daughter has been a coach-in-training with the swim team teaching little ones how to swim.

7)  My daughter was able to volunteer one day a week at a local hospital.  She wants to go into nursing.

8)  My two daughters help my husband usher at Mass every week.

These jobs were a great benefit to our family.  As you can see, some of the jobs are a family affair.  In other words, mom or dad worked with the kids.  The older the kids became...the more independent they were in the jobs they held.  Let's honor the work we've been able to participate in on this labor day.  The value of work is very important.