Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I, Jen, get the luxury of 30 minutes of childless quiet time =) I drop Jonathan at school and then drive to a bus stop where I sit in the car and wait for sweet “Baba Tzanka” who then looks after the little kids whilst Doug and I have Bulgarian language class. In the car stays a special Peruvian bag that stays in the car with my bible, book, personal prayer book and journal. Oh how I love that time!!
Well, this Monday I was reading about the importance of Sabbath. As a Mom I always have way more to do than time to do it. Ditto as a missionary. There is ALWAYS something to do! Yet, somehow in there I am commanded to take a rest! In fact, this Sunday evening I was sharing with a freind how glad I was it was Sunday night and we could “get back to the week!” How totally upside down, right?! I am enthused and excited by productivity, schedule, completed to-do lists, the very things that I get from the week. I find rest difficult to achieve. I always have that “missionary” excuse… Those of us who work “in the church” often find weekend to be the busyest times of the week, and thus that becomes a “good” excuse for not taking a break and taking the time to do something restful… reading a book with the kids, watching a movie under fluffy blankets all squished up on the futon, playing outside, baking something for fun allowing the kids to get themselves and the kitchen covered!
Well, I read Leviticus 23:3 “There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD”.
Boy did that pop out at me… wherever you live… No excuses Jen! It doesnt matter that you work for the church, or live somewhere where regular life and tasks takes a little longer to accomplished. Even in Bulgaria Jen, you need to take Sabbath!
So here I am in front of you blog readers commiting to take a break on Sundays and teaching and examplifying in front of my family this gift from the Lord given to us each week! May this be the beginning of some fun Sunday family restful and playful traditions =)
November 8th, 2011 at 9:12 am
Hi Jenn, this is Peggy from Hermiston Nazarene, one of your LINKS churches; we met when you were at our church this summer. I’ve been reading your blogs that now come to my E-mail and this one really touched a cord for me too. When I was a kid, Sunday was more of a day of Sabbath rest; most stores were closed, activities from school and community were usually not planned on Sundays, and it was a day for church and rest. The world today is so upside down, as you described. Here in the States Sunday has just become another day to squeeze in more school and life activities….sadly. I will pray for you and your family that you can have a Sabbath rest each Sunday in the midst of your busy life. Thanks for sharing! I too need to make a resolve to obey this command of our Lord.