Happy Labor Day!

¹⁷ May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
   establish the work of our hands for us—    yes, establish the work of our hands.-Psalm 90:17


I love Labor Day.  It is the one holiday that comes with absolutely no expectations.  No gifts to buy.  You can celebrate with a cookout if you like, but there is no pressure to do so.  There are no parades.  You don't even have to feel guilty for "not celebrating the real reason for the holiday."  Have a pajama day if you want!


Of course, not everyone has the day off.  Today we ought to (but no pressure!) give thanks for all the emergency workers... military, police, firefighters, EMS, and hospital workers who don't take a break from protecting us as well as those in the service industry working as cashiers in stores (don't forget the Labor Day sales!) and waiters and cooks in the restaurants we will patronize on this rainy Labor Day.  There are also those whose workplace aren't giving them the day off (Richard has to work).


But I think this year in particular we should remember the 9.1% of unemployed Americans.  I don't know what that translates to in numbers, and I have to wonder how many of these want jobs compared to those who have been conditioned to live on welfare.  But the fact is, there are way too many people out there looking for jobs today.  There are also many who aren't included in that 9.1% that are working well under their potential.  College graduates working part time at WalMart; experienced managers waiting tables... not that these are not respectable jobs, but they certainly aren't what the typical college graduate or experienced management level worker expects for themselves.


Let us pray for the jobless and under-employed:


Father,
On this Labor Day we pray for all of those looking for gainful employment.  We pray for those in the position to hire that their businesses and organizations will begin to flourish enough to warrant new hires.  We pray for those who have been out of work for months that you will keep them encouraged and hopeful.  Amen.


Joys:  A rainy day with nothing to do; helping Kevin shop for his first interview suit; Service and emergency workers who must work today.