SEPTEMBER 20, 2 Thessalonians 3:10

“Hi, Teacher Ming!” Tom greeted his Sunday school teacher. “You’re up! We thought you’d be in bed.” Teacher Ming had fallen from a ladder and hurt his back. After surgery, he had spent several days in the hospital. Now he was back home, and Tom had gone with his dad to visit him.

Teacher Ming smiled. “You can’t keep a good man down,” he joked. “I’m thankful that I don’t have much pain now. I may never be able to go back to construction work, or even lift anything very heavy.”

“That’s too bad,” sympathised Tom’s father. “I know you loved your work.”
Teacher Ming nodded. “I had wondered if there would still be any work that I can do,” he said. “Then just a couple of days ago, God provided a new opportunity for me.”

“Wonderful!” exclaimed Dad. “Where will you be working?”
“My boss is giving me a job in the office,” said Teacher Ming. “Instead of doing the actual construction, I’ll be helping with planning and finding all the building materials. I’ve had training in that area, and I look forward to it. In fact, I already have two projects to work on, right here at home.”

“What a great answer to prayer!” marvelled Dad.
Teacher Ming nodded. “You know,” he said, “the Bible says if a man won’t work, he shouldn’t eat! So as long as I can do something, I want to work. After all, I love to eat!” They all laughed. “I also found out the truth in a Bible verse that says ‘The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,’” added Teacher Ming. “Since I’ve been working again, I’m so contented that I sleep like a log.” He grinned as he looked at Tom. “I’m looking forward to serving in church at Junior Worship again, too. I’m very grateful that God has taken such good care of me, and I want to serve Him all I can.”

On the way home, Tom was thoughtful. He had never really thought about how it would feel if he were hurt and unable to do work. Tom was thankful that he could help with chores. “You know, I think work is good after all,” he told his father. When Dad looked at him in surprise, Tom chuckled and added, “I like to eat, too!”

Thought: Do I enjoy studying hard? I must work hard!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me spiritual gifts to serve You. Help me to do my best and work hard as I serve You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.