Plan to Work

I typically drive to work praying and going over the day’s to-do list in my mind, hoping slumber has not omitted something urgent from my memory.  On Wednesday, I drove to an alternative work location 25 miles away with a happy and content heart following a conversation with my 18 year-old son on Tuesday night.  He has a plan!  Lord, you are good and your mercies endure forever!  

While the Lord has shown me multiple times that He laughs at my plans, I still make them!  He addresses me directly in my Proverb, Proverbs 16:
1To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
2All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the Lord.
3Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.
While I know God is the ultimate planner, the capital P Planner, I highly respect a young man with a plan!  I didn’t want my son to take his truck with him his first semester in college.  I thought he had enough with which to become acquainted, without also having the burden of finding acceptable parking and avoiding fines and tows - I know Clemson’s parking situation… I still wanted him to work, though.  I believe that idle hands are the devil’s workshop, and I did not think his classes would occupy so much time that he couldn’t work a few hours a week, but if he worked he would need his truck.  I resolved to maintain my stance on not taking the truck, which also meant no job.  He did not put up a fight, and that was a miracle!  

On Tuesday, we talked and he said, “Mom, I called Food Lion to ask them to put me on the schedule during my Christmas break in Rock Hill.  I’m going to use some of that money to buy a parking pass, and my roommate works at this place putting furniture together and they want to hire two more people.  It pays $18/hour.  I’ve got to have a job next semester!  I can’t be broke like this for another semester.”  This mama is excited about her son’s plan!  I am happy that he has decided to work because he wants to be self-sufficient.  Of course I’ve Cashapped him multiple times this semester, but it’s not like earning a steady paycheck.  My son has not only a plan, but a plan to work!  

A few weeks ago, my older son, age 21, who has worked for a State Farm agent since his sophomore year of college, complained about how much work he had to do.  It was a Friday night around 7:30pm that he called me saying he was just leaving work.  He had an exam to complete by midnight, an essay to write by Monday and a presentation to complete by Monday afternoon.  He really seemed stressed.  I said, “Zach, now remember, this is a part-time job.  If it’s too much for you along with your classes, back off work some.  I can help with some of your expenses, you just have to let me know.  A part-time job shouldn’t be stressing you out like this.”  His response, “Mom, it’s not a part-time job.  It’s a full-time job, they just let me work part-time hours.  I have responsibilities!  I may not be able to come in at 8am, but I get here as soon as I can and I leave whenever I get it done.”  Well, this mom sure had it wrong!  

I love that my children work, and not just work, but want to work!  As children grow into adults, parents become much more aware of their teachings because it shows up, magnified, in their children - good or bad!  I’ve tried to teach them the value of hard work and I’ve demonstrated it, too.  I truly believe work honors God.  In Genesis 2:2 we read that God rested from His work of creating.  We know from Philippians 4:12 that He is still working.  “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Jesus worked, and not just preaching and teaching, He worked as a carpenter. (Mark 6:3)   Ain’t nothing wrong with a little work!  Amen!