day 1388: Summer Thanks!

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."

Today is a special day.  All across the country, companies and employees are getting ready for the long weekend that signals the start of summer! Memorial Day weekend gets it all started. Some companies will start their summer hours and gear up for people taking their vacation weeks. It's always exciting.  This holiday is about paying memory to those who have served and fallen for our country.  Between getting ready for the fun weekend and the memorials it can be a great time to express to each other how much we appreciate them and their contributions that assist in our success.  It's a great time for leaders and managers to express their recognition to their teams and co-workers.

Today also marks a day for me to say thank you to many.  On Monday, I leave on a special trip. My friend Doug, who recently turned 50 invited me and a group of guys to join him on a pilgrimage trip in Spain.  We will be walking daily (with our backpacks) along the Camino de Santiago. This is a tradition for nearly a million people who have been doing it for a 1000 years.  While on this long trip, one is supposed to figure out what they will be "leaving behind". I will share what that is when I return.  While I am gone, purposed worKING will continue.  I have asked a number of the most courageous and committed followers of Christ who are daily living out their purpose in their workplaces, to write and share for all of us. I have been overwhelmed with their generosity of spirit and time.  I know you will be blessed by their writings.  And, after this series of guest contributors ends, be on the watch out for a new look and expansion of Purposed worKING.

Enjoy this Friday summer kickoff and long weekend!  Be blessed and stay strong in His promises!

Reference: 1 Peter 4:8 (New Living Translation)


 

day 934: Hot Days... Still

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." 

The New York Times this morning detailed the U.S. drought as the worst nationally since the late 1950's.  It's been a hot summer and we are only half way through with many  hot days that will follow. The hot days outside and the hot days inside. Yes, there will be hot days inside our office and it won't just be the weather that makes the difference. There is always another "hot" topic or "hot" issue that must be addressed and when these come and especially when they come day after day, week after week, it can wear us down and like the oppression of heat and humidity outside, we thirst and we search for shade and relief. But that is hard to find when the deadlines are looming and the heat has been turned up by the boss or the bosses' boss. This is the time when perseverance and commitment shows up, or doesn't. As a person who uses long distance running for my exercise I remember hearing the great running philosopher George Sheehan write that running in the heat builds commitment. I hear that in my head on every long run when the sun is beating down on me. 

Just like in the long run, when the heat is turned up at work we have to find that commitment down deep inside of ourselves to carry on and carry on in the way that others never really see us sweat. God gives us His promise that we can do so if we are doing the right things and doing our work in the way we should. In Galatians we read; "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Even though those "hot days" will be upon us, if we are doing what is good and doing our best to bring the glory of God through our work, there is the blessing and the refreshment of the harvest waiting for us, and a much cooler season coming...soon.

Reference: Galatians 6:9 (New Living Translation)