Monday is Labor Day in the United States. It’s a day off for most Americans from work. And a National Holiday that says goodbye to Summer. Schools are back in session and the familiar routine returns.

Routine. Some love it and some feel held back by it. We tend to fall in the first group. This is what has made our current season challenging to us on a comfort level.

Although Tom is retired, he has worked just as hard these last 5 years helping others on a full-time basis.

His Step Dad, before he died in December, needed him often to help with major and minor things. But always he was there right away.

His Dad moved from CA to FL to be closer to us after his wife passed away in 2020 from a long illness. Tom helped him every step of the way, even flying back and forth across the country as it was needed.

His sister bought a townhome and Tom was there helping her move and get set up in her new place.

We have had a sick granddaughter who nearly lost her life, and a grandson born at 24 weeks requiring our help to move them back to Florida. We are now privileged to help them care for him and their marriage regularly.

I share all this because to Tom he does this well because he loves well. It is literally a labor of love for him. Is it inconvenient at time? Oh yes! But his love for our family exceeds his desire to retire as planned. Retirement isn’t supposed to be retreating from life. No, it’s the freedom to live on a level we didn’t have time for while working.

Have you considered the ways your spouse works hard for those they love? Sometimes in the busyness we become blind to this blessing. We would surely notice if they were no longer here.

Let’s make this Labor Day one where we highlight with gratefulness the ways our spouse works hard for our family. This is how we encourage each other daily as the Bible commands.

Happy Labor Day!