The Faithful Toiler

The Newton Floyd Thomas family (around 1904)
Back L-R: unknown, Will, Newton, Gunter, Daniel
Front L-R: Newton Floyd Thomas, wife Abbie, Della, Elizabeth, Elsie (my grandmother)
(daughter Katy not pictured)
(daughter Lilly died in infancy)

"We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)

In 1904, my great-grandfather moved his family to one of the best farms in Rankin Cove on the Tennessee River near Jasper, Tennessee. Newton Floyd Thomas, a cobbler by trade, indentured a young man to work the farm while he made shoes for the local community and shipped goods to New York, London, and Paris. Abbie, a mid-wife and herb doctor, served the sick throughout their rural neighborhood. In her absence, a housekeeper cared for the home and children. 

In later years, a newspaper article featuring Newton Floyd Thomas read:  "Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler."

In Luke chapter 19, Jesus ended a parable with the command, "Do business till I come." The Apostle Paul wrote: "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2). Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it (1 Corinthians 3:13). Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)."

Beloved, what work will you do for the Lord today?