February 16, 2010

  • My goal for the next few months is to have a rest.....a Sabbath rest or a Sabbatical.  This is a new adventure to me.  I am not good at resting, but I really believe this is something I need to do.  It goes completely counter to what I usually do.  When I finished working at Old Faithful and finished with the holiday season, I was very tired.  I don't think I am unusual at all.  I think most people go through life weary and tired and many of us don't know it.  We know we have to "keep going" so we ignore the exhaustion.  This works for awhile, maybe days, months or even years, but eventually it will catch up with us.  Like an avalanche it gains momentum and if not stopped will completely overwhelm and bury us.  In the past year I have read a couple of books on rest and particularly the Sabbath.  What does "sabbath" mean, why is it important, why does God ask us to rest?  And why did Jesus take the time to rest.  There is more to this than meets the eye, there is even more to this than just being tired and needing to rest.  I don't know what it means really, but I'm willing to take a few hours every day to explore this.  I am re-reading the book, Sabbath by Wayne Muller.  I will be re-reading other books during this time also.  I find it interesting that as Christians we spend hours telling each other how to find our ministry, or our mission in life.  There are classes in everything imaginable, but I know of none that teach us how to "rest" or "keep Sabbath."  Being busy is where we get our worth....having things to do is how we feel we are important.  I know this, because this is how I am.  It has already been a struggle to slow down, I start feeling panicky after several hours of reading and resting.  There are hundreds of things calling my name.............this will not be easy, but good things usually aren't that easy.

    Yesterday I went to Goodwill.  I had fun finding books to read and give away. I took my time, when I started feeling guilty and panicky for being in the store "too long", I told myself it was okay, I could relax and enjoy going through the books.  It would be alright, the world wouldn't come to an end if I spent an hour or so enjoying myself!   I found four "Carl" books and I will enjoy "reading" them to Daniel.  They are largely wordless books, but the pictures are beautiful and at .59 each (and another 30% off with my Senior discount), they were quite the bargain!  Speaking of books I also found a gorgeous Tuscany cookbook (someone will be getting that as a gift!), and a book, Country Weekends by Lee Bailey.  I can't resist books with gorgeous photography and when you add recipes they are almost irresistible! 

    So here's to more "happy reading, resting and enjoying the quiet of life."  May you find some "sabbath rest" today..........