Labor Day: A Day of Rest We Should All Enjoy

Labor Day’s Beginnings

Celebrated in both the United States and Canada, Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September as a way to recognize workers and what they contribute to our society. Back in 1882, a union leader in the United States named Peter J. McGuire encouraged the Central Labor Union of New York to consider designating a day to celebrate workers in America. He is also credited as starting the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1881.

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Labor Day and Rest

Many think of Labor Day as that extra day away from work and school to take a breath and spend time with family before moving into the fall and holiday season. Sadly, some also treat it as another day at the office or doing work of some kind.

5 Ways to Make Labor Day God-Centered

Yes, there are ways to turn Labor Day into a day of rest and recognizing the blessings we have in God, not only recharging our relationship with God in the process, but being prepared spiritually for whatever the week may bring.

1. Start the Day with a Bible Verse for Yourself, Family and/of Friends

What better way to begin your Labor Day morning (or afternoon) than by reading a verse from the Bible that celebrates God and being blessed in this day He has given us. If you are studying the Bible personally, you could choose a verse for yourself, or you could use a devotional or websites like Bible Study Tools to find a verse to reflect on the day.

2. Write Down or Share with Loved Ones Something You Are Grateful For

Just as you might do for Thanksgiving or Christmas, when you are around your family or friends (or even by yourself), think of one thing you are grateful to God for that day. Maybe it is happiness in having a job, or maybe it is being grateful for the blessings God has given you. But taking a moment in your day to reflect gratefulness always makes the day better.

3.Take a Quiet Moment to Meditate or Pray

It can be hard during Labor Day to take a moment for yourself, but make it a point today to meditate and/or pray about the day or how thankful you feel in being able to rest. Rest doesn’t mean that you must spend the whole time lying down asleep; it means you get away from the distractions to self-reflect and breathe. Prayer and meditation get you there in an instant.

4. Take Part in a Low-Key Activity

Most holidays are about getting to people’s houses to celebrate or hosting parties at your own house, but maybe this Labor Day, choose to do something with less energy instead. Spend the afternoon reading or relaxing with your family watching a movie. Sit with friends and talk for hours or take that well-deserved afternoon (or morning) nap. Instead of treating the day as just another marathon of activities or chores, use Labor Day for what it is truly meant to be: to rest.

5. Do a Random Act of Kindness

Just because it is a day of rest doesn’t mean that you can’t do good things for others. Take a moment in the day to do just one random act of kindness for someone, whether it is giving a compliment to a stranger or paying for someone’s meal or stopping by to say hello to a lonely neighbor. Resting today from the busyness of life allows you time to appreciate God’s blessings and spread His love around to those who need it as well.

Make Labor Day Special This Year

From its start in 1882 as a day to celebrate unionized workers to becoming the last summer hurrah before fall begins, Labor Day has always been a day that we see as a day of enjoyment and fellowship.