The Lenten reflections are going to formally begin on the first Sunday of Lent, February 21st... stay tuned. In the meantime, here are some thoughts about how to design a sabbath from Kate Heichler:
If you’re going to take this Lenten leap of faith, here are some things to consider as you design the Sabbath that works for you. There is much freedom; the only thing we strongly recommend you hold to is a 24-hour period. You can’t do Sabbath in 4 or 6-hour chunks. It takes us at least 12 to come to resting. Take the day!
Choose the Day of the Week
Sunday is the traditional Sabbath for Christians, because it is the day for communal worship, but you can choose any day that:
- You don’t go to work
- You don’t have to do chores beyond the basics
- You can spend time with friends or family, OR,
- You can spend time alone, if you crave solitude
Choose What Activities You will Avoid
The overall “rule” for Sabbath is to rest from being productive.
So plan to avoid:
- Anything related to your paying work – that may mean you don’t check e-mail or voicemail on your Sabbath
- Anything that is on your “to-do” list
- Anything that is productive or achievement-oriented – this is a day to rest in who you are, not in what you can do
- House chores that can be done the day before or the day after. Obviously, children and pets must be fed! But keep it simple.
- Errands or highly commercialized activities
Choose What Activities You Will Embrace
Choose activities that are restful and life-giving to you:
- Reading
- Prayer or worship
- Taking a walk or exercise (if it’s not on your to-do list!)
- Cooking a meal for friends – if you enjoy cooking! If you choose that as a Sabbath activity, take time to enjoy it, to smell the spices and delight in the colors, to stir love into the pot.
That’s the main thing: choose things that give you life, and don’t over-structure your Sabbath.
What About the Kids?
If you want to keep Sabbath as a family, there are wonderful ways to introduce it to your children. You might try the Jewish tradition of lighting candles and a festive meal at sundown the night before your chosen Sabbath day. Some families keep a “Sabbath candle” burning all through their Sabbath day (except when they’re asleep, of course) as a reminder to the household that this is a different day than normal.
If your children are small, part of your Sabbath should be enjoying their company and giving them a break from “to-do’s.” Just play on this day – clean up the toys the next. If your children are older, talk with them about what it means to be loved just for who you are, not how well you do things – find Sabbath activities that appeal to them.
If your children are not interested in this project, don’t push them. You need to try this discipline on for yourself first. Design a Sabbath that is as restful for you as possible, factoring in time with the kids, and see what happens once it becomes a habit.
What About Your Spouse?
One question you will face right away is whether or not you and your partner will take a Sabbath together, and plan it together, or whether you will take separate Sabbaths because your work schedule or the children’s needs don’t mesh. If your partner is not interested in trying the Sabbath on, plan a day when you can be as free from family distraction as possible – and ask your family to support you in this discipline.
What if You’re Retired?
Many people seem to get busier when they retire – so setting aside a day that is less structured, more restful, more worshipful, is just as important for retired folks. Plan activities that are out of your usual routine – perhaps a long lunch with a close friend, or a longer time of prayer and Bible study.
Sabbath is an invitation for you to notice where and how God is at work in your life. Take the time to be attentive.
No comments:
Post a Comment