It’s summertime and that always brings summer ‘projects’ around our house. Some involve routine maintenance that needs yearly attention, like cleaning out all the gutters on our sharply- pitched roof. But often we take on a new house project to improve the value and enjoyment of our home and this year’s choice could be the all-time winner- replacing a gravel driveway with cement pavers…4000 to be exact!

There is nothing like challenging manual labor to help one reflect upon the meaning and value of work. In Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, the US Catholic Bishops write about the importance of work and its close connection to stewardship:

“Work is a fundamental aspect of the human vocation. It is necessary for human happiness and fulfillment. It is intrinsic to responsible stewardship of the world….. Life as a Christian steward also requires continued involvement in the human vocation to cultivate material creation. This productivity embraces art, scholarship, science and technology, as well as business and trade, physical labor, skilled work of all kinds and serving others.”

With so many in our country losing their jobs due to changes in the economy, the importance of how work defines us (beyond the paycheck) is even more clear. Meaningful work is a necessary component to a full and satisfying life.

So, here are a few lessons that I have learned from working of this summer’s family project:
#1. Physical labor reminds me that the human body is a magnificent, powerful and productive instrument for good. I thank God for the gift of my body each night as my aching muscles hit the mattress.
#2. It is incredibly fun and exciting to create something out of ‘nothing’ and see it take shape before your eyes. It draws me into reflection on the first act of creation and how much God wants us to experience the joy of creation in our own lives.
#3. Big work projects require planning, patience and team work. There are a variety of skills and expertise needed at different times in a project and it is far more difficult and much less satisfying to accomplish the task alone. In our case, even friends with physical limitations contributed in meaningful ways. I am reminded that the community that forms around a project is as important as the final outcome.
#4.  Attitude is everything! Hard work can be a drudgery or an adventure. I am reminded of what happened to the third servant in the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30). Fear, anger, laziness, selfishness and other negative human emotions can obstruct our ability to accept the invitation to collaborate with God in the ongoing work of creation.

Blessings on your summer projects, whatever they may be! We’d love to hear about then and how they reflect your understanding of stewardship. Please share your thoughts with us so that we can all continue to learn together.

Carol Guenther
Consultant, Mediator