I Have Work Enough to Do

When I was little, I thought that hymn title was perplexing, due to my misinterpretation of its message.

I thought, "I Have Work Enough to Do...do I look like I'm looking for more?!?"

Or maybe, "I Have Work Enough to Do...so do your own work yourself!"

I was confused, because that didn't seem quite right.

As an adult, who has actually read the lyrics, that hymn makes more sense to me. In addition, I have had some light bulb moments lately in regard to work, thanks in large to this book:

For example:

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

-George Barnard Shaw

Said President David O. McKay, "Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success."

And Margaret Thatcher, "Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's the day when you've had everything to do, and you've done it."

I confess I have been a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments lately. A wise friend of mine once commented that while we are often told Heavenly Father will not test us beyond what we can handle, He certainly isn't going to test us any less, either. Of course life is comprised of hard work, otherwise it would be useless to us.

So here I sit, on the morning of a day when I feel like I have everything to do, and I am pondering on my work.

You know the days.

There's laundry to wash ...

...and fold and put away. And in our case today, pack for their weekend with Aunt Marianne and my weekend with Daddy.

There's toys to be cleaned up and floors to be vacuumed...

...bathrooms to clean...

(Sparkling, beautiful bathrooms depress me in the same way that skinny, airbrushed models do.)

...dishes to wash, floors to sweep and mop, and groceries to buy and put away.

Oh, and the dog needs a bath. He smells like a goat. Seriously.

I realize that the above only represent the simple works of mortal life.

But somewhere amidst all the daily tasks, there is other work, infinitely more important that needs to be done.

Work like helping Zion as it grows (I love my job. I do.).

Work like teaching the next generation the value of work, honesty and integrity.

Work like setting an example worthy of following. The work of patience, kindness, problem-solving, patience, love, compassion, patience, and patience.

The work of teaching my children that constantly striving to live the gospel is the only way to achieve real happiness.

Of the "everything" I have to do, I will get much of it done today, and hopefully make a teeny step of progress toward the rest.

And tomorrow, I'll get on one of these...

...so I can go give this guy a hug and a kiss!

(Even when 2,000 miles apart, marriages need work too.)

Okay, now I'm going to get busy!