Work Ethic defined: The principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward.

Good morning and welcome. It is Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and, I am thinking today about the malaise in the workforce especially among our younger employees. Finding workers willing to fulfill job requirements has become increasingly difficult for employers across our nation. Here's a published assessment regarding this situation: "The self-reported work ethic of US high school seniors has plummeted: 54% of 18-year-olds were willing to work overtime at the start of 2020. This dropped to 36% by 2022, the lowest level in the 46-year history of the survey." We don't have to consult studies to see the problem firsthand. Visit almost any restaurant in our area and it will be understaffed many to the extent they have to cordon off areas because they are unable to sit and serve patrons. Okay. I was born in 1946 and that makes me a first year baby boomer. We were raised differently. Work ethic was ingrained. It was taught at home, in school, and even from The Scriptures in Church. We may have wanted to be lazy but it just wouldn't pan out because the environment didn't allow such foolishness. I'm not knocking these kids. They are our grands and great grands. The old joke where the fellow says he thought his name was Get Wood for the formative years of his life rings somewhat true to many of us. I was not overworked as a kid growing up but I learned the value of 'work' as demonstrated by the adults in my life. I also began to participate early on in work activities. My generation has trouble understanding the young folks who seem not to be able to value their jobs. They may or may not show up. Many have the attitude to just get by in doing as little as possible when they are at work. That's not how we responded. Having been promoted to department head I remember well telling new employees how fortunate they were to be joining an organization committed to working hard to achieve objectives. Again, its hard for me to blast the younger generation because they are our children. For the sake of us all, and I mean that seriously, I pray this can and will change but it will take God's help if we are to turn hearts and minds around. Or, at least, that's the way I see it. (I used the above photo just to illustrate the time period difference. After my dad died in 1954 our family moved in with my mom's parents in the village of Hornbeck, Louisiana, and while they had running water, having seven additional people put a huge strain on their water capacity, therefore, we bathed in a number 3 galvanized washtub and often shared the same water. Different times called for different solutions.)

 

The overnight polling by CBS indicates an overwhelming positive response on the part of the American public, at least of those who actually watched last night's Presidential address to a joint session of Congress. The overwhelming positive response neared 80%. You could not have guessed that would be the response based on the partisan divide demonstrated in the House last night. For the most part, the democrats present sat on their hands for the entire evening. Agree or not agree, there should be a modicum of respect shown to the leader of the free world who won last November in a convincing victory. Modicum. If you don't like him as a person that's one thing. But, for heaven's sake, show respect for the office! I am not a fan of Donald Trump the man, but, I voted for him three times now and I do respect that he is our President. I also support many of the things he is doing but it is clear the opposition is entrenched and fierce. Here is a Facebook posting during the speech from our Pastor, Dr. Jerry Chaddick, "To every member of Congress who REFUSED to stand to honor the Mother and Sister of Laken Riley, and to honor the Mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, who were savagely murdered - SHAME ON YOU! SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON YOU." I couldn't have said it any better. At the end of it all, there's the Lord God of Heaven and He, my friend, will always and forever have the last say. 

 

I do hope you find something that will make you smile today. Also, be thankful to God for the blessings He provides and seek Him for the challenges you face. Here's an admonition and promise to carry with you as you go about your day. "Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.'" (New Living Translation) Have a good one now, you hear? May God add His blessings. Amen.