A Job Well Done

Recently my wife and I renovated a section of our front yard. It had been an island of plants surrounded by grass all the way around. Unfortunately, the grass was only healthy on one side. There were patches of grass all the way around, but it didn’t look good.

            So, I dug up several sections of grass and transplanted them in places that needed attention. And then we expanded the island, taking it all the way to the circle driveway in front of the house.  All told we tilled up the ground, dug holes and planted 42 new plants in that area. 

            Two things stand out to me about this work. First, boy was I tired after two days of digging holes and spreading pine straw and watering everything that was planted.  The old body can’t go as long as it used to, nor does it recover as quickly as it once did.  So, I have to pace myself.  And I have to rest more the next day.

            But the second thing is just this.  There is great satisfaction in work that is done well.  I am aware that the Bible, in the book of Genesis, declares that work will be hard and that it will cause us difficulties at times. But I hope that you see this. It is God’s will that we work.  Our lives are better, and we are more fulfilled when we find something to do that is meaningful to us, and helpful to others.

            I know that the day comes when we retire from full-time employment. But there is never a time in this life when God says, “Stop. Sit down. Let someone else do it.  You are done.”  Even when you can do nothing else, you can pray.

            My grandmother prayed for me in the early days of my ministry.  She was basically bedridden for the final two years of her life. But she told me that she spent much of her time in that bed lifting me up to the Lord.  Oh, the blessing of having a praying grandmother.

            I challenge you to continue to serve the Lord. Don’t quit. Don’t give up.  Be faithful to the end.  You reward will be worth it.