Today’s reading: Ecclesiastes 9, 10, 11; Psalm 15, 45, 75, 105, 135; Proverbs 15

Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

Having been out of work for just over 10 not-so-glorious months now, I have a new appreciation for having and holding a job. I remember a day as a young man saying that I would not work “fast food”. This is a misnomer in and of itself. I am thankful for a local Pastor who called me to come and clean the gym of their Church. The money sure helped. Oh, it did not pay the back mortgage or big bills like that; but, it helped tremendously with the day to day necessities.

As I was cleaning the carpets there were places in the carpet where the children had spilled during lunch or snack times. I sprayed them with the spot cleaner and I even pulled the machine ever so slowly over those spots. The result? Dirty spots that were wet. I felt like the example of Ecclesiastes 10:10, “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” The problem is that the stains have probably been there too long and are set into the carpet.

I did not quit though. I sure wanted to give up. I am a perfectionist and things like that do not set well with me. I did not give up though. I kept going and finished my task no matter how good or bad the carpet looked when I was finished. I did my best and the Pastor knows that. He was happy with it. I accepted it.

I thank God for providing this bit of hard work. I was exhausted when I arrived home that evening; but, it was that hard day of working tired. I hope this finds you doing those things that God has entrusted to you to get done.

So, how are you doing?