The Tale of Two Holidays

As a teenager, I often couldn’t remember the difference between the Labor and Memorial Day holidays. Some similarities between these two special days revolved around no daily mail delivery; and school and bank closure.

One occasion brought in the summer with the opening of the community pool, and the other brought this season’s conclusion with end of the outdoor swimming season. As an adult, I now realize that retail takes advantage of any holiday to make money.

Labor Day is the first Monday in September. It commemorates the working person of the world, and there power, affluence, and well-being in making America the grand country it is.

There are many individuals that find fulfillment in their employment. Of course, there are also those people who strongly relate to the words from a Dolly Parton song. Do you identify with what the lyrics are describing about a work atmosphere?

Workin' nine to five, what a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind and you never get the credit
It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it                                                  Nine to five, yeah they got you where they want you
There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet

Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NLT) reminds us of what our personal goal should be in both life (and a vocation). “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.”

Memorial Day typically falls around the last Monday in May. It honors those service people, who were killed in war. You may find the older generation calls it “Decoration Day.”

Around this time of the year tombstones are decorated with flowers to remember those that have passed on. (This holiday should not be confused with the November Veteran’s Day, which celebrates those living, but no longer active in the military.)

On Memorial Day, remember that both your spiritual and physical freedom came at a high cost to those that provided it for you (from Jesus and the military, your friends). John 15:13 (NLT) communicates this truth to all of us. “There is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for one’s friend.”

The chorus of a song by Good and Rich helps us all to better understand the magnitude of what was involved with the liberty that we sometimes take for granted in the USA today.

On the eighth of November [1965]
The angels were crying
As they carried his brothers away
With the fire raining down
And the hell all around
There were few men left standing that day
Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky…

These two times of celebration have special memories for many human beings. Mary of Bethany was the sibling of Lazarus and Martha. One day, she chose to worship Jesus, the Son of God, in a very unique manner. (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, John 12:1-11)

She poured an expensive perfume (or aromatic oil) on both His head and feet.  She dries each foot of Jesus with the only item she had available at the time, which was  her long hair (and not a towel).

In Mark 14:9 (NKJV), Jesus makes this observation about Mary of Bethany. “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

When you have passed on to your eternal destination, and one day your name is mentioned; how will you be remembered? Will your good (and kind) deeds follow you, or will the memory of you bring to others mind your foul attitude, words, and actions (during your existence)?

If you need to choose another pathway to take (while you are still alive) do it now. There is no opportunity to make life changes once you are dead. According to Hebrews 9:27(NLT)* this life is all you get to make a positive difference on humanity.

*”And just as each person is destined to die once, and after that judgment.”