Why do I Sabbath? Joy. This picture was taken from my phone around 12:15pm. I just wish I could share with you the gentle sound of Lake Michigan lapping the shore, the smell of the hot seagrass and the sun warming the stress right out of me.
A day off (mine begins at noon and goes to around 9pm on Tuesdays) gives me time to play, to think, and to process. I discover moments of silence. Whatever the Lord is inviting me into, I spend extra time learning and focusing on that subject. It's our date time! In fact yesterday was a day of victory. I can't tell you how thankful I am to the Lord that the 1 plus 1 plus 1 that He had been teaching me, finally made its way to an equals 3 in my heart, not just my head.
A day off (mine begins at noon and goes to around 9pm on Tuesdays) gives me time to play, to think, and to process. I discover moments of silence. Whatever the Lord is inviting me into, I spend extra time learning and focusing on that subject. It's our date time! In fact yesterday was a day of victory. I can't tell you how thankful I am to the Lord that the 1 plus 1 plus 1 that He had been teaching me, finally made its way to an equals 3 in my heart, not just my head.
Later I worked out, hunted a bargain at TJMaxx, watched Robin Hood (love Maid Marion) and then hung out at Barnes and Noble, coming home with loads of green tea induced energy.
Even without caffeine, the energy continued. This is one of the reasons I believe in Sabbaths. I had enough energy to deal with three children in my bed at 3 am last night gasping under blankies through hours of thunder storms. Eventually Andrew got up to work on his 6AM Bible study, the baby went to sleep and the older two and I had lotion foot massages, trying to giggle through the fear. The energy didn't stop. Today I had enough energy to garden and plant the window boxes on the little yellow cottage.
I've had time periods where a weekly Sabbath didn't work, when I was home with a new baby, when I couldn't find a babysitter, and when there was an emergency in the parish. I always have to hold it lightly. So, I pray. If a Sabbath is what the Lord wants for me, He will make it happen. I pray for the health of my babysitter, for the joy of my children during the day that I'm gone, and for wisdom on how God would like me to spend my time. He knows best how to usher me into rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
For some of you this Sabbath idea is just a pipe dream. You can't imagine how it would be possible. I invite you, my sister-friend, to just pray about it.
There are about 85 women who read this blog on a weekly basis coming from all walks of life from all over the world and all of us need refreshment. Some of you just had babies in the last few months. Wow. I love you. You are in the middle of the beautiful and the messy and the exhausted. And some of you take care of family members and can't imagine how you would get a few minutes to go to the grocery store by yourself let alone find hours to replenish. He knows, my dear friend. He knows your need for deep breaths and quiet, for time of laughter with friends and to have your heart cared for by your Abba.
I invite you to pray and to dream. What would a day of refreshment look like? What energizes you? Cooking, gardening, reading, putting your feet up in a coffee shop with a great novel?
Do your best to try this just once a month. Even if you don't have a spouse who understands, find ways to accomplish your time out without help. Exchange babysitting with another mom so that you can have a Sabbath every other week. And then, next month, comment to tell the other 85 about how it went.
Need a scriptural basis for what we are doing? Read Lynne Baab's book, "Sabbath Keeping."
Need inspiration? Read "The Too-Busy Book" by Linda Andersen. (Amazon) You will love my friend's lovely book of encouragement teaching women how to take retreats of all lengths.
I've had time periods where a weekly Sabbath didn't work, when I was home with a new baby, when I couldn't find a babysitter, and when there was an emergency in the parish. I always have to hold it lightly. So, I pray. If a Sabbath is what the Lord wants for me, He will make it happen. I pray for the health of my babysitter, for the joy of my children during the day that I'm gone, and for wisdom on how God would like me to spend my time. He knows best how to usher me into rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
For some of you this Sabbath idea is just a pipe dream. You can't imagine how it would be possible. I invite you, my sister-friend, to just pray about it.
There are about 85 women who read this blog on a weekly basis coming from all walks of life from all over the world and all of us need refreshment. Some of you just had babies in the last few months. Wow. I love you. You are in the middle of the beautiful and the messy and the exhausted. And some of you take care of family members and can't imagine how you would get a few minutes to go to the grocery store by yourself let alone find hours to replenish. He knows, my dear friend. He knows your need for deep breaths and quiet, for time of laughter with friends and to have your heart cared for by your Abba.
I invite you to pray and to dream. What would a day of refreshment look like? What energizes you? Cooking, gardening, reading, putting your feet up in a coffee shop with a great novel?
Do your best to try this just once a month. Even if you don't have a spouse who understands, find ways to accomplish your time out without help. Exchange babysitting with another mom so that you can have a Sabbath every other week. And then, next month, comment to tell the other 85 about how it went.
Need a scriptural basis for what we are doing? Read Lynne Baab's book, "Sabbath Keeping."
Need inspiration? Read "The Too-Busy Book" by Linda Andersen. (Amazon) You will love my friend's lovely book of encouragement teaching women how to take retreats of all lengths.
1 comment:
Every tuesday?? Noon to 9pm?? How do you do it? Laying on a beach for an hour sounds heavenly....hmmm. Maybe I will try to do that tomorrow. Seriously you are inspiring, hope you are well and we should talk sometime!
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