As I return to work stress free after honoring our Lord on the Sabbath, I am reminded that still countless others are going back to work stressed out, juiced up and definitely not ready for prime time.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

It's Monday and I'm ready to start off the new week all refreshed from the one day that gives me rest - Sunday.  

Just as I head off for the start of a new week refreshed and stress-free, I am reminded that many others are heading off to the start of a new week stressed out, juiced out and definitely not ready for prime-time.

 One Sunday morning as I was searching the radio for our old standby Ravi Zacharias, I happened to find one station's  program about investing money wisely,  It seems that we have become a nation obsessed with money that we see Sunday as a wasted day of activity, not worthy of recognition. 

 It is as though two big men came along and pushed the week together while conveniently taking out that one important day the Lord gave us to refresh and rekindle our soul. 

According to this BBC,article, more people are calling sick on Monday. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8347332.stm According to Dr. Cary Cooper,"It is more believable to use back pain as a reason as often stress is seen as a four letter word. It's seen as embarrassing.

"The UK has gone from being a manufacturing economy to a service-based economy in the past 30 years so the problems that are most likely to rise in the workplace are people problems rather than physical problems, despite what the survey suggests." In another article in the BBC, a 10-year study carried out in Scotland suggested that up to 20% more people die from heart attacks on a Monday than any other day.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/612550.stm

Like the panic-stricken worker's on the Edmund Fitzgerald as their ore boat was beginning to sink, many of us are entering the new week without the refreshing water that only our Lord Jesus is capable of providing,  Sunday, my friends, was made for man and a reminder that He will take care of all of our physical, monetary and psychological needs, no matter what you are experiencing in this life.

As we begin the work week, let us be mindful of our stressed filled coworker's by offering words of encouragement, and if they ask you why the silly grin on your face you can simply add, 'I went to church, helped out in the children's ministry, sang in the choir and had lunch with friends. You don't have to say anything more to convey the importance Sunday has in your life. 

May this coming week be a blessing to all.