Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Rachel’s Day
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Belong
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Labor Day blues

8.31.2014
|
Daily Grace

It’s Labor Day weekend, a weekend traditionally marking the end of summer—when most kids are on vacation from school and many folks take their family vacations. But for some people, the “vacation” doesn’t end—because they don’t have jobs. They find themselves on an unwelcome, uncomfortable “vacation,” one they did not choose.

I have several friends who have been looking for work for months now. A few have been on a job search for more than a year. It’s a tough time—and very scary. Last week I spoke to a friend whose husband has been out of work for two years. They’ve been paying an enormous sum every month to hold onto their health insurance. She said they’re getting behind on their bills. She sounded kind of depressed. Money worries really wear a person down, especially as they drag on and on.

Several of these friends and ex-colleagues are, like me, middle-aged. Too young to retire, but too old to be attractive to many employers–lots of employers think that a young person is more likely to be around longer (and will take a lower salary).  And even for young people, there are tough challenges: too few jobs, too much competition, and in many cases, the crushing burden of student loans.

What about you? Are you struggling to find work? Is someone in your family? Do you  know someone who has been searching for a job so long that he or she has become discouraged and afraid?  This weekend, in our prayers let’s remember all those who don’t have jobs and offer to help them as we are able.

This was adapted from “Labor Day Blues,” written by Kate Sprutta Elliott. It appeared on the Women of the ELCA blog originally on August 29, 2011.

Share this post

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message.

Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.