Is It Worth It? How to Find Joy in the Work of Celebrating Holidays

 Holiday weeks have a way of piling demands onto our already full plates.  Planning special meals, picking out outfits, and assembling baskets can quickly pull my focus towards myself and ALL the work I have to do.  

As I cooked and prepared our Seder meal, juggling a baby on my hip and entertaining an active toddler, I found myself tempted to skip it all.

Lord, is it worth all this work?

In that moment, I was gently reminded: preparing a meal that would bring my family to the table to remember God and celebrate His faithfulness is never time wasted.

So, I set the table and cooked the boss’s favorite meal. The smell of pot roast filled the house, even greeting him in the garage with a warm welcome. We gathered, read through the Haggadah, prayed, and remembered the God who delivered the Israelites from slavery.  We shared the meal in remembrance of Jesus who became the Lamb of God, who paid the price for our sins.

This was the reward for the labor.  My family sitting down worshipping God together.

“Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.”
– Deuteronomy 6:4–7

During that time, another question pressed on my heart from the Lord:

If the only reward for all your work was knowing that you pleased Me, would it be worth it? Would you still do it?

That question changed everything. It shifted my mindset from me to Him.

And so, with joy, I put together baskets, baked, and did all the little things, knowing each act was an expression of love for my family and service to the Lord.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people,
knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
– Colossians 3:23–24

On Easter morning, a sweet moment sealed itself into my memory; the boss holding the baby, laughter echoing as the kids opened their baskets. 

These are the moments I live for.  Creating an atmosphere where my family can connect, remember, and rejoice was the purpose. Seeing their joy? That was the reward.

So, friends  “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
– Galatians 6:9–10

When I submit my work to the Lord, serving Him and those around me with joy, He is the one who brings forth the fruit.