By James Lowe
What pops in your head when you think of Labor Day? A day off from work or school? Fun times with the family? Maybe the unofficial end of summer.
Many of us think about these things and celebrate Labor Day Weekend. While it may seem like the end of summer, schools have started during the first week of August for the last few years. So, Labor Day has become the first school holiday after a month of school!
Historically, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It became a federal holiday on June 28, 1894, when it was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.
While we presently enjoy this respite from work or school, the reasons for the holiday are born out of turmoil, danger, and harshness. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the U.S., the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in several states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories, and mines across the country. They earned a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.
Workers faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks. Labor unions grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies. Many of these events turned violent. Some protests even resulted in deaths.
On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. The idea of “workingmen’s holiday” caught on and was celebrated on the first Monday in September in many industrial centers across the country. Many states passed legislation recognizing it. Twelve years later (1894), congress legalized the holiday for the nation.
The holiday continues to be an American favorite over 125 years later!
As Christians, we also have a “Labor Day” each week. It is called the Sabbath.
Exodus 20: 8-11; 8. “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. 9. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10. but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
In our modern society of hurry, hurry, hurry, we certainly need to stop and observe the Sabbath. This is a day for our minds and bodies to rest. This is a day set aside to worship the Lord our God.
*Contributions of information from www.history.com and The Holy Bible—English Standard Version
We at The Paul Anderson Youth Home (PAYH) believe in the old adage “Teamwork makes the dream work.” We are thankful that KE Butler Jewelers believes this, too. During the entire month of September, 100% of all of the income generated through their battery sales, will go to the PAYH. They will also match the money raised from the battery sales. It’s their way of investing in the future generations to not only “Change a Battery, But Change a Life.” Please support KE Butler Jewelers as they support us.
Deborah Williams
Staff Spotlight
In this month’s #StaffSpotlight, we feature Deborah Williams, Paul Anderson Youth Home’s Client Coordinator. She is skilled in handling each applicant with care and consideration, speaking with parents, counselors, probation officers, court officials, and all those involved with the application process and giving hurting families hope for a brighter future. Deborah lives with her husband, Kevin, in Vidalia, Georgia, and enjoys crafting, refinishing furniture, wedding planning, and catering outside of PAYH.
#payh #boyshome #vidalia #youthhome #family #boyslife #youngmen
PAYH’s 60th Anniversary
Sixty years and more than 1,400 individuals later, Paul Anderson Youth Home continues to transform lives each day by helping young men turn away from incarceration and towards God. As part of our 60th Anniversary, we look forward to proudly sharing with you the success stories of some of our distinguished alumni this fall. We thank you sincerely for your continued support of PAYH, as it allows us to continue to transform lives!
#PAYH #boyshome #vidalia #georgia #vidaliaga #youthhome #family #boyslife #youngmen #PAYH60years #60thAnniversary
Why We Do What We Do
In order to develop a well-rounded, productive young man who will be a contributing member to society, our program focuses on developing daily living skills, community skills, vocational skills and self-awareness in each young man in our care.
#boyshome #vidalia #georgia #vidaliaga #youthhome #family #boyslife #youngmen
In Memory
With a heavy heart, we share that one of our precious alumnus, Andy Young, has celebrated his home-going to be with Jesus. Andy was such a fine young man, and he will be missed by so many. It was only recently that we learned that he had COVID. Please keep his wife Amanda and their daughters, as well as his parents in your thoughts and prayers.
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