The Sabbath Experiment -- week 22

Happy Monday! I truly hope you had an enjoyable and restful weekend. I certainly did.

Remember how I asked you to hold me accountable for getting back on track with my day of rest this past week? Well, I'm sorry to say not one of you so much as sent me a FB message or email encouraging me to do just that. And I had to wonder why. Perhaps it was because some of you felt a bit hypocritical reminding me about the Sabbath, when you planned on working for seven straight days yourself. But guess what? You are missing the point. This is my Sabbath Experiment, not yours. And I'm not here to judge you about it. After all, Paul issues this exhortation in the book of Colossians:

Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. (Col. 2:16)

What you do on your sabbath is up to you. But I know, for me, I need that seventh day to rest. And I have not been faithful to honor that over the past few weeks. Until yesterday. Keep in mind, I wanted to be held accountable. I needed that.

So, even though I didn't get any actual 'reminders' to honor my pledge to rest on the Sabbath, I still felt accountable since I told you all I would be.

And let me tell you...it was wonderful! Of course, for me, resting on the Sabbath does not mean lounging around in bed, drinking coffee, reading the paper, etc. I know that is how many people spend their Sunday mornings after a stressful and busy week. But for me it means starting the day worshipping the Creator with my church family. Sunday School involved a lesson from Judges about Abimelech (wow, he was rotten!). Then my husband and I enjoyed the song service while holding our grandbabies in our arms (is anything better than that??). Bob's sermon was on one of the most well known passages in Acts (chapter 16) about Paul and Silas in prison. We spent time in prayer focusing on the things that imprison us (alcohol, pornography, finances, relationships, etc.). I thought about my work and how "imprisoned" I was, simply by thinking I had to be on top of things every day of every week of every month...I guess it is often like that when you work from home. You never quite leave the office. At least not until you learn how to intentionally do so. Ahh...the Sabbath Experiment.

Lunch with the kids and grandkids was followed by an absolutely wonderful day of doing nothing in particular with my best friend in the world -- my husband. We played Bananagrams, watched Hush, a movie with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange. Lange delivered a brilliant performance as a demented and obsessed mother. Slightly disturbing film, but well done. More games. Dinner. More TV in front of the fire. Ended the night by soaking in a hot bath. Ahh...the Sabbath Experiment. It was a lovely day.

So, here is my challenge to you: Pick a day, any day, and spend it deliberately enjoying the company of someone you love. If you are married, set aside an entire day to focus on your spouse. I have been so busy lately that I really was missing my time with Bill. Now I feel refreshed and we feel reconnected. That's so important in a marriage. If you stay unconnected for too long, the rope holding you together can start unraveling. Do not let that happen! Solid families are not created by accident...it takes effort. It takes time. Time well spent.

The Sabbath Experiment is the best thing I have done for myself. Fortunately, I'm not the only one to benefit from it.

Keeping it restful on the Sabbath,

Hana