Shade Tree Wisdom 6/29/08

Worship this morning reminded me of a critical oversight in my Shade Tree Wisdom of yesterday. I turn to Luther to add the critical item. That’s prayer.

Ora et Labora, was his watchword.
Erst dasz Gebet, denn die Arbeit..(First the prayer, then the work).

For Dr. Luther prayer was critical for his work. He often said he had to pray an extra hour because there was so much to be done.

The hymn says: “With the Lord begin thy task, Jesus will direct it.”

Any task, any journey, any undertaking or planning, if it is bathed in prayer will go more easily. Often it seems as if an answer comes that we so badly needed, just sort of out of the blue, because God provided it. And the work is done.

Of course, Eat That Frog doesn’t have any of this. No school would dare to bring it in, it is not legal nor is it politically correct. Ah, what evils we often endure because something is not “politically correct” or because it is. So if this book is used as part of some class discussion or teaching, as I suspect it is – no instructor would dare to add any religion to its message, on pain of discipline or dismissal.

But for you, Ora et Labora; pray and work. And the hymn concludes:
If your task be thus begun,
With the Savior’s blessing,
Safely then your course will run
Toward the promise blessing.
Good will follow everywhere,
While you here must wander,
You at last the joy will share,
In the mansions yonder.” TLH 483,4.
GPD 6/29/08