During a conversation this week I spoke with a man who expressed his opinion about work with regards to his children. Our viewpoints differ on the importance that our children learn what hard work is and that they participate in it often. I listened as he spoke of the fact that they would have to work their whole lives and that they shouldn't be burdened with it while in their youth. After he said that he began to share with me his frustration with the way his children currently live their lives. I couldn't help but think about the absence of learning to work in their lives when they were young. As grown people they were now lazy and unwilling to do any more than was actually required--the bare minimum.
I am personally grateful for hard work and the satisfaction I receive by accomplishing the various tasks that are a part of every day life.
"In all labour there is profit..." (Proverbs 14:23)
I love the parable that the Savior teaches in the New Testament. This account teaches us the pure value of hard work.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1-16)
Going back to the discussion I had with this man, we will be better suited and prepared to take on the many influences of the world and accomplish all that is required in our lives if we will learn how to work and then teach our children the importance of it also. It has always been a desire for Becky and I to know that our children know how to work hard and are confident to do anything that is required to live a good and productive life.
It's a great life! I'm thankful for every single day. I hope that this finds everybody well.
