Diligent Work

 Due to the lack of a personal computer plus a few other distractions, yes, I did skip the months of September and October for H3.  But now for November, we are back with a new verse to hide in your heart.  A verse that we use often in our home...for every activity, job, sporting event, science fair, business presentation, home chores, etc.  In fact, this verse appears at the bottom of Baby Girl's ad in her gymnastics program, directly below her photo.  We hope it serves as a reminder, to us as well as her.  

November's H3 verse: 

Colossians 3:23

New King James Version (NKJV)

• "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men"

New International Version (NIV)

• "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters"

Holman Christian Standard Bible

• "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men"

One footnote I read says the literal translation means to "do it from the soul".   You know people who do this...you do this when it is something that is so close to your heart, something you want to put your all into, your very best because you care so deeply about it...whatever the "it" is.  Think about those moments when you've heard others speak about that sweet old lady in the community or your grandmother at Thanksgiving who makes the best homemade caramel cake, biscuits, fried apple pies, cornbread dressing or like we refer to my Daddy and his smoked chicken halves.  Even when you have their recipe, it never can turn out as good as theirs....they are making it from their soul. Taking a certain amount of pride and care into every step, ensuring the best outcome for others.  Oh, to think how the world could be if we all lived by this verse....working hard, doing our very best, striving to please the LORD instead of man.

Not just doing enough here and there in the workplace, at home, with our children, in friendships, family relations, etc, to get by, the bare minimum to call the job complete.  But rather to really put our heart in it, to work from the heart, knowing that we serve a Master who blesses us daily, even when we don't deserve it.  And who stores up even more blessings for our eternity with Him.  Now that's something worth putting your heart and soul into, if you ask me.