12 Days to Christmas, Saturday, Dec 13, 2025

It Should Be a Happy Saturday

Is Saturday the best day of the week? I used to think so. No school. Then, as I grew older, no work. Eventually God called me into something different, and Saturdays became work days again.

Even though I am working, it is still Saturday. Many people work on Saturdays, especially the people we depend on the most. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and members of the military are only a few. I am grateful for all of them. Working on a Saturday does not mean it is a bad day. In fact, some of the best days of my life have been connected to my work in one way or another.

It is easy to forget how blessed we are to have tasks that need our attention. Sometimes we might blurt out something that suggests we are unhappy with our responsibilities, but when we pause and think about it, we really are thankful. Whether it is our job or a personal responsibility that requires our skills and experience, these things give us purpose, confidence, and a sense of value.

We all need that. Every person needs to feel valued. Everyone needs to know that their presence matters and that what they do makes a difference. It simply feels good to be needed.

Since all of this is true, we should be mindful of those who do not feel that way. Many people struggle during the holiday season. Loss, loneliness, and regret are more common than we realize, even among our closest friends and family. Some of us may even be in that very place, quietly wondering if anyone notices or cares.

We do care. We truly do. We are simply preoccupied with life. Human beings naturally think of their own responsibilities first. We worry about working on a Saturday rather than checking in on the people we love, our neighbors, or even the strangers we pass on the sidewalk.

Because today is a Saturday during the holiday season, maybe it is a good time to reach out to someone. How are they doing? If they are recovering or healing, how is that going? If they are away from home this year, are they feeling supported? A simple phone call or a thoughtful text message could make more difference than we will ever know.

“Strength is the glory of young men; gray hair is the splendor of old age.”  (Proverbs 20:29, CEB)