Good morning, friends, and blessings to you as we pause (and hopefully rest) today ~
Here in the United States, today marks Labor Day. My hope is that you will be resting and connecting with people you love today (and not on a screen), so here is an abbreviated Monday Manna with a little thought and a prayer.
For me personally, many of these national holidays aren’t the source of too much thought or reflection, especially with the conflicted feelings we carry around the state of things —literally — in the United States. But I think there is some real hope and a call from the Spirit in thinking about Labor Day today.
Labor Day points our attention toward the Labor movement which worked to improve working conditions and to honor the dignity of workers. I have especially been thinking about Mary G. Harris Jones, later nicknamed “Mother Jones” (from which the publication is named) but whom politicians also called “the most dangerous woman in America” (sound familiar?).
Mother Jones was a teacher and dressmaker turned union leader, activist, and American Labor organizer. She became a phoenix in the ashes of her life. When her husband and kids died of yellow fever in 1867 and her dress shop later burned in the Great Chicago Fire of 1971, Jones poured everything she had — including her pain — into supporting the labor movement. She became the organizer of both the Knights of Labor and the United Mine Workers of America, and did deep, powerful work around rights for children — an area especially close to my heart. Jones actually organized a march all the way from Philadelphia to Teddy Roosevelt’s house in efforts to protest how little enforcement there was for child labor laws.
“Reformation,” Jones said, “like education, is a journey, not a destination.”
And it’s a journey we continue, following in the footsteps of people like her. While much has been accomplished, I see Jesus’ gaze. He’s got his eyes on the migrant workers who continue to work with dangerous chemicals, labor long hours, or be out in severe weather (I think of all the lawn care crews I still saw out when the air quality from the forest fires this summer was beyond toxic, with everyone told to stay inside). He’s looking at the domestic workers — caregivers, housekeepers, nannies — often left out of basic minimum wage or anti-discrimination laws. He’s looking at platform and day laborers who are stringing hours and days of work together, trying to make enough for shelter and food (and in many cases, adding this on top of other jobs they may already hold).
Today is a day we hope to rest from our work, but to also think about what is our work to do.
I’ve been dwelling more lately in John’s Gospel, especially Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 15 about abiding. Jesus describes himself as a vine, with us as branches. The life we have, the growth we experience, the fruit we bear, all come as a result of remaining connected to our “Vine.” We don’t — we can’t — grow on our own. And then Jesus says, “I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…” (John 15:16, emphasis mine).
This is our work. To bear fruit that will last. It takes a different form for each of us. But remember, all fruit comes not through striving, but abiding. This releases the burden of forcing or making yourself fruitful (in our culture’s nomenclature, “successful”), and can re-orient your focus and your life around simply remaining faithful (an especially good word for us creatives who can sometimes feel pressure to come up with things ourselves). Just keep doing what is yours to do, and God brings the fruit. Through you, God makes a difference.
So as you enter into this day of rest, connection, or last minute school supply shopping, think about the work God is calling you to be about in the world. Think about Mother Jones, and the difference her life continues to make in this journey of reformation. And think about how you can bear fruit that will last.
A Prayer
Here is a prayer for heading to work (but not today!) from my book, Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life….
When I’m heading to work
God, my Light,
Make me your lamp today.
Anoint these efforts of mine,
done for you,
done from love.
Shine in my thoughts.
Illumine my words.
Warm through my hands.
Shimmer in my speaking.
Beam from my priorities.
Glow in my countenance.
Sparkle through the stewardship
of my skills and desires.
Burn through my dedication in
parts of the job I don’t want to do.
Please use me, God,
and bless this work.
I commit to faithfulness in
my tasks today, knowing
greatness comes not
through what is achieved,
but how it is done.
And, who knows what
hope you will reveal
through a small candle today…
Amen.
Matthew 5:14–16 * John 8:12 * Colossians 3:23
“You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before
others, so that they may see your good works and give glory
to [God] in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14a, 16
Your life makes a difference, friends. Thank you for the difference you make and the fruit you bear.
Love and Light,
Arianne
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Gorgeous as always! And a good reminder that I need to see what's new in your Etsy shop! 😍