In 8th. Grade I was required to memorize Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “The Village Blacksmith “ I still remember parts of it.
Under the spreading chest nut tree, the village smithy stands
The Smith a mighty man is he, with large and sinewy hands
And the muscles of in his brawny arms are strong as iron bands …
His brow is wet with honest sweat, he earns what e’er he can
He looks the whole world in the face because for he owes not any man ….
One of my earliest memories (probably when I was 3-4 years old), is sitting on my father’s lap in a little country church in California. Taking my small fingers and tracing the dark lines in the palm of his hands.
My father at the time was a plumber and worked with the old school cast iron drain pipes. Strong, calloused and every line deep and dark. I remember feeling secure and proud. Thinking someday I want hands like these that not only provided well for our family, but also hands that drove us to church and picked us up to his lap in love.
One of the 7 deadly sins is sloth (or lazy) and it is to be battled in 3 areas in our lives…financial, spiritual and emotional. My thoughts or ways I choose to live in each of these areas are found in scripture.
Financial Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 -For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Proverbs 13: 4 -The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
I once was asked what do I feel have been contributing factors in my success as a building contractor?
1. We do the work but God provides. God feeds the birds of the field but he doesn’t put worms in
the nest. I have been blessed by God with opportunity (calculated risks). I thank God daily for
work to do and a healthy body to do it . I honor him the 7th. day with rest and worship .
Deuteronomy 8:18 - You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.
2. I never went to college and I only work half days. That could be part of it? , It doesn’t matter if
you work the first 12 hours or the 2nd I just try to get in a good 1/2 day 5-6 days a week.
People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan! Set goals but Keep your sense of humor; Success is built on failure. The secret is to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.
Success is moving toward personal, worthwhile, pre-determined goals which are in alignment with your vision, mission and values
“A wise fellow should have money in his head but not in his heart “
Johnathan Swift
Spiritual and emotional
Be there for your friends and family.
For me this looked like starting work early or continued working after my children were settled for the night. Trying to never miss dinner together. Giving up my hobbies like golf and fast pitch softball so I could take them skiing, coach little league (which I did for 12 years) or help build sets for theater at school. Make time for vacations as a family or just hanging out together.
Do all you can to not miss any of the events, performances or games. Be willing to give up what is good for what is great. Don’t let this time slip away.
We impart what we possess. We pass on to them when we spend time with them. Our beliefs,
convictions and examples are more aptly caught than taught. Make sure what you are imparting to others is spiritually sound truth. We can’t afford to be slothful in our pursuit of the true wisdom of God and our relationship with God.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Titus1:9- He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Malachi 2:6 - True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
Let’s us be like these men in Acts 17:11 - Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
So we don’t hear Mathew 22:29 - But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Michael Landon said “Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now!
There are only so many tomorrows.”
Teach us to number our days aright, that we might gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
God Bless
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