Let me start by sharing one story that always made my skin to boil. A stewardess in first class was asking a couple if they needed anything. The lady didn't respond. The stewardess asked again. The man turned to her and informed the stewardess, "She doesn't talk to the hired help."
Herdsmen with Cows by Aelbert Cuyp
It's obvious when you read through Scripture that God cares about the "hired help." You may remember my blog dealing with the Sabbath. When God gave the fourth commandment, He made it clear it applied to the male and female slaves (and the animals as well) as those who were "free."
This surprisingly (or not) leads me to Labor Day. How many of you know the history of this day? I do... because I looked it up on-line two days ago. It became a federal holiday on the first Monday of September when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law June 28, 1894. At that time 30 of the 44 states already were celebrating it, starting with Oregon in 1887. Technically, the law was for federal workers - there were strikes in the 1930's for other laborers to enjoy the day off.
Many holidays have often lost their true meaning. Many Christians mourn the commercialism of Christmas. For most people Memorial Day and Independence Day are a day off. Even Thanksgiving has become "Turkey Day" and includes warm-ups for the true holiday of the weekend, Black Friday. My hunch - Labor Day has lost its meaning more than any of the others I've mentioned.
Politically/Historically the Democrats have been the champions of Labor. I'm guessing most of my blog readers know enough history to remember Cleveland was a Democrat (I'm not sure how many of our population know who the 22nd/24th President was, and if so, they only know that he was the only one to serve non-consecutive terms). So was Congress when the holiday was introduced in Congress and signed into law. However, my guess is the ignorance of this holiday is held by both parties.
There are holidays that Christians debate whether they should be celebrated in church, including Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veteran's Day, and even Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter (and other church calendar holidays). Labor Day belongs on that list. I have never heard Labor Day mentioned in a church service.
But, in the scope of eternity, where does celebration of Labor Day rate? Not very high. However, how we treat workers - either those who we personally employ or those we benfit - IS important to God.
Today, my wife and I went to a zoo. No, the zoo workers didn't get a day off. But there were two that were raking a couple of pens, and I spoke to both of them and asked how they were doing. One appreciated it, the other seemed surprised I'd ask. To me, that's showing honor to others.
I started with a non-fiction story that angered me; let me close with a fiction story that inspired me. I won't mention the name so as not to spoil, but I saw an adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot stories. In it, a pair of murders took place at a nightclub. Both times, one member of the party encouraged the band to start playing. The people at the table were focusing on the music, not on the murderer who filled their glasses like a good waiter, added something to one person's glass, and sticking an incriminating bottle into another's pocket.
Well, actually, I skipped something. Poirot joined in the table at the second occurrence. After one person was carried out, he talked to the other guests (the same people were at both murders), he revealed that nobody noticed the killer behind, and stated that worked because people don't pay attention to the waiters, and then asked the killer if he noticed the person who just refilled his coffee. The killer turned and saw the person he thought he just poisoned.
Ever since, when somebody refills my coffee or iced tea (they rarely refill my Jamocha shakes), I make it a point to thank them. Not primarily to make sure they don't add anything to my beverage, but because they deserve me to thank them.
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