And I Asked Myself

I idled on my swing, savoring the fresh and peaceful morning.  I pondered what needed to be done today.  Sometimes, I dread the work.  Sometimes I slay the work.  Either way, the work still needs to be done.  And I asked myself, 

"But can I be thankful for the work today?" 

I wondered this.  I often chronicle things I'm thankful for in my journal, but today, I wrote reasons I could be thankful for work.  

~ Through work comes provision.  

This is often how my Father, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, works.  He frequently provides through work.  It isn't always a surprise check in the mail, though those miracles have happened to our family!  And, my work looks different and unique from others' work.  Today, that means, I'm thankful to weed, plant, and mess with the garden.  That means I'm thankful to stack the wood and oversee the wood-splitting.  Today, that means, I'm thankful for preparing and cooking food.  I'm thankful to be hanging clothes on the line.  I'm thankful for clothes to rotate and organize.  All this work reminds me of the ways that God continues to provide for our family.  I'm thankful for the daily work He provides!  

~ Through work comes order.

God is a god of order.  This is why a neat and tidy home lends itself to refreshing us and our families.  The disorder of this world came in at the fall of man and the toil and struggle are now a real part of our everyday life.  So much of my work is helping to bring about order again (and again and again).  Remembering that through what I do, order is brought about, helps me to be thankful for the work.

~ Through work comes character.  

Much is said in the book of Proverbs about the virtue of work.  Not only does my daily work build character in me, it also builds character in my children.  I am grateful for this.  I want to grow more Christ-like every day and a big part of that is doing EVERYTHING I do as unto the Lord and not just for people!  Do it with all your might!  Do it all for the glory of God!  What character can develop from this attitude daily!  That puts an entirely different spin on the work that the Blossoms and I must do today.  

I needed this reminder, friends.  More thoughts to come soon, I hope.