Happy Labor Day

This Motivational Monday feels especially meaningful—it’s not just the start of a new week, but also Labor Day. To me, it’s a reminder that the simple, steady work of ordinary people is what has built and continues to sustain our country. Labor Day isn’t just about a long weekend; it’s about honoring the perseverance and grit that shape our lives and communities.

The photo above was taken during my bike ride across America, in Fair Grove, Missouri. I remember pulling up to the Wommack Mill and pausing to take it all in—the weathered boards, the stone foundation, and the American flag hanging proudly across the front. It felt like a picture of endurance and resilience, the kind of spirit Labor Day represents. That moment stayed with me because it reminded me not just of past generations, but also of my own journey. Pedaling mile after mile, through heat, rain, and long stretches of open road, I learned that perseverance isn’t always dramatic—it’s simply choosing to keep going, one turn of the wheel at a time.

This Labor Day, I’m grateful for the reminder that hard work doesn’t have to be flashy to be powerful. It’s the steady, faithful effort that builds freedom and carries us forward. My hope is that each of us can pause today to honor that spirit—and carry it with us in whatever road lies ahead.