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“He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread…. From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him [as a harvest].” ~ Proverbs 12:11,14, The Amplified Bible
Sitting in our eat-in kitchen working on this Monday Morning Memo, I was astounded. As you can see, I had four Bibles open and with each one — each one! — I had to turn the page to read the second of these verses I wanted to share. If you don’t have much experience with hard-bound Bibles this may not mean anything to you, yet I have to tell you it’s highly unusual. The books are in the same order with each translation (duh!) but placement on the page is always different. Even from release to release, it’s different. I know: I’ve worn out several Bibles and while my mind could recall the location on the page from the previous release, often it wasn’t in the same location with the new printing. So having to turn the page with every single Bible I chose to look in was very, very weird.
Placement aside, I’m totally blessed by these verses. Every workday, part of my morning prayer is thanks for being able to care for my responsibilities and obligations. Phrased differently, I thank God for my work. I’m also thankful for being able to help someone “in need”, a phrase, I’ve discovered, that applies to each of us.
Really?
Yes. The merchant needs to sell his wares, his children need to be taught in school, artists need creative inspiration, lovers need the emotional fulfillment in the give and take of relationship. We all experience need. And that’s why I love this unconnected passage of Scripture. When we (as the Message interprets it) stay on the job, and when we choose our words wisely (as the New Living Translation instructs us), we will be rewarded. Part of that reward is for our own benefit; part of it is for those who profit from our talents and gifts.
As you begin your workweek, consider the blessing of work. Ponder how much you’re able to do for someone else by showing up, by working with integrity. And know to the very core of your being that you’re following in the best footprints of all: those of our Lord and Savior who said,
“My Father is working right now, and so am I.” ~ John 5:17
Happy Monday and all of Heaven’s best to you and yours,
Margret
