Mr. Jongsma had two favourite sayings: "Haste Makes Waste" & "Ora et Labora". On the first day of Grade 7 he had written the latter on the board in chalk and explained in his beautiful Dutch accent that "Ora" meant "speak" or "pray" and "Labora" meant "Work" - in Latin. I was immediately turned off because he knew Latin and because he was old and because he made us underline the title and dates on our notes twice in red pen, and because he made us call him "Sir" instead of "Mr. Jongsma" and because I was more interested in flirting with the girl who sat near me in Spelling, so I disregarded his words for most of my life since then.
This summer has been one in which "Ora et Labora" is what I have had no choice but to live. In the past, my work has become self-centred and poor, but with prayer, it is going much better this year! In the past, my prayer has made me apathetic and ignorant of the value of earth (Platonist), but with work, I am seeing God's hand guiding my life and blessing my actions!
This is life: Ora et Labora. Trust and Fight. Give control to God and fight for His will. See the big picture but value your own desires. I am like the newbie in tightrope walking school - I need guiding hands and a big rod to help me maintain balance, but by the grace of God I am working on it.
Yeah, by the grace of God I am working.
7 comments:
Ora et Labora. I'll have to remember that. Hmm.
That was good to read, Ben. Thanks.
Enjoyable, yet grabbing and thought provoking.
Thanks.
I have actually experienced this myself - that praying and working (incorporated together) is a huge blessing, and working generally goes a lot better, and is not so horrible after all.
:)
I must say I hated the boys in my grade seven elementary school. I was a very selfish, snobby grade seven girl. I didn't like any of my teachers either and I hated homework even more. I hated a lot generally.
Ora et Labora. Poor teacher. But I shouldn't say that - I guess he was the richer one. Thanks for this post.
Cool post. I'll remember that phrase.
Ben, you're a gift.
Thanks.
Love.
Hooray for Latin. Pronounced with a "t".
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