I was supposed to be at a conference in April — Call Sabbath a Delight: Solace, Sanctuary and Space for the Soul — but, it was cancelled for insufficient registrations. In following up, the planning committee heard one thing consistently: “We're just too busy”.
Too busy for Sabbath? It would seem many are, so many just like me. Some introductions: I'm an active elder, committee chair and general multi-tasker. Wife of 25 years, mother of two teenage sons. Household manager, CEO, Mom's Taxi, renovation coordinator. I live out my vocation, writing, whenever possible. Definitely middle aged, sometimes my energy flags and my attitude tanks. Thank you God, for grace! My point? Many Canadian families — the ones the church reaches out to — share the busyness of this stage of life. We work, run households, nurture family relationships, coordinate our offspring's schooling, activities, interests and social lives. Sometimes it's difficult to make it through the week, let alone fit in church attendance and intentional Sabbath times. Too busy for Sabbath? That's why we need it.
My church has generously provided opportunities to learn more about Sabbath. A weekend workshop explored Sabbath practices and taught of its spiritual gifts. The necessity of Sabbath has been preached and soon we'll host special worship celebrating Sabbath. With all that support, surely I've figured it out: why I need Sabbath, how and when it will happen and the benefits to my spiritual life. Sad to say, it ain't so!
My initial enthusiasm mellowed with the reality of incorporating it into home life. I pondered the possibility of a whole day of sabbath. When no homework intrudes, no shopping, no laundry, no ironing. no meetings after church, no last minute trips to the mall because “we have this project due for school tomorrow.” a day for worship, for relaxing, finding delight in god's world and in each other, for the sole purpose of renewing our spirit, as god would have us do. I considered, I shared, I asked, I dropped hints, I listened… I let go.
Instead, I focused on my own practices. small changes on sundays: no meetings, intentionally festive meals, deliberate time in relationships and god's creation. I would make daily opportunities for my own sabbath moments: walking my dogs, daily time outs to read, relax or just be.
Have I been marvelously successful? not entirely. I still haven't found an alternative to post-church meetings but time for special meals, relationships and creation are more do-able. Weekday sabbath times are susceptible to being pushed aside when other things apparently demand priority.
I was puzzled though. although somewhat undisciplined, I was intentional in taking time to rest and relax: why wasn't I feeling more renewed? unexpectedly I found the answer. reviewing my workshop notes I spotted something I'd left out: preparation. Welcoming sabbath time with distinct rituals, by word or deed, we acknowledge and invite god to be an active participant. We open ourselves to god's will in renewing us, in filling our spirit, in preparing us for what lies ahead, whatever it may be. In my self-centered take on sabbath, I had forgotten to include a most important ingredient! no wonder refreshment seemed lacking if the Living Water wasn't invited.
Talking with a couple at our church who have been quite successful in their institution of sabbath, I discovered they use a simple ritual to distinguish their secular and holy times; they find themselves to be continually renewed and refreshed. My motivation is restored and I'll keep trying, inviting god to lead me. so when I step out the door with the family pooches, will I establish that time as a sabbath time with prayer and invite god to change me? I plan to! I wonder if the dogs will notice.
