A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
Proverbs 16:26
Gordon liked nothing better than to snooze in the summer sun, snacking on whatever he had around and enjoying the peace and quiet of the afternoon.
Every morning, Sam Squirrel would pass by on his way to the bakery and call out.
"Morning Gordon, could use that gorilla strength down the bakery to move a few bags of flour if you fancy a job…"
And every evening he would call out again on his way home
"Evening Gordon, could use that gorilla strength down the mill tomorrow to grind come fresh corn."
It seemed there was always something needing doing down the mill or the bakery, but every morning and evening Gordon would give a contented wave and carry on resting. It wasn't that Gordon was lazy, he just knew what he wanted from life, and had enough. But alas, that gorilla strength took a lot of feeding and one morning Gordon looked in his cupboard and found it completely bare.
He sighed, and returned to his snoozing patch. Sam passed, as always.
“Morning Gordon, mending the mill fences tomorrow, could use that gorilla strength to hammer in some posts.”
Gordon just waved and tried to rest. But by mid-morning his stomach was starting to rumble. By lunch time it was grumbling. By mid-afternoon it was groaning.
It was late afternoon when Sam passed and gave Gordon a cheerful wave.
“Evening Gordon, could use that gorilla strength down the mill…”
Gordon never even let him finish.
“See you tomorrow.”
Tomorrow came and Gordon was standing at the mill gates an hour past sunrise. Sam quickly showed him what needed doing and he spent the rest of the day hammering fence posts and carting lumber for the new fence. It was hot, sweaty, tiring work. The sun beat down on Gordon’s head and it wasn’t half as pleasant when he was working as when he snoozed in the shady jungle glade.
But every time he felt like stopping he paused to feel his hungry stomach grumbling and carried on.
Evening would bring wages, and wages would buy food. He would work the week out and then have plenty again.
Father, thank you that you have given us the grace of bodies that require fed, and the motivation to work for that food. We pray that you would make us diligent workers for you and for others. Amen.
I hope we don’t run out of squirrels. Like your imagery.