Labor Day
Seems important. There are so many hands that go into making the things we wear and the food we eat.
I was reminded of the significance of this day by one of the folks who lives at L’Arche. He was really excited about the labor day celebration he had gone to and couldn’t wait to share it with his co-workers.
As I think about the hard work, the slave work of many people in our culture, I get sad. But, then I see that many of these people who work so hard are much more happy than the corporate businessmen who live the posh yet void life at company spa retreats.
For a moment, I get a little judgmental, a little idealistic, but then just at the right time I remember Henri Nouwen quote that said,
“I am convinced each human being suffers in a way that no other human being suffers.”
Sort of the Christian version of the Bob Marley, “Each man thinks his burden is the heaviest.”
My specific burden–is it something that I accept? Live for? Or live beyond? I don’t want to be defined by it. But I need to see it.