The 20 Minute Sabbath
21 Oct, 2012
Recently I launched a new initiative to “Honor the Sabbath.” It’s a commandment after all, one of the big ten, so I figured it must be pretty important. Plus it sounded really good in theory; honoring the Sabbath sounded relaxing. Peaceful. Quiet.
The trouble is, I have children. Two young boys.
Boys who require prepared meals, clean dishes, folded tee shirts, lettuce chopped for the pet lizard and scattered beta fish food vacuumed from the bedroom floor. Boys who need help with long division and book reports, kitchen cabinets stocked with snacks and peanut butter and raspberry jelly sandwiches sealed into plastic baggies for school tomorrow.
Boys who are decidedly unquiet.
On the Monday following my first failed Sabbath, I formulated a new strategy. I would plan ahead. I would get all my chores done during the week – the vacuuming, laundry, dusting, grocery shopping and organizing – so that on Sunday I could rest. On Sunday I would honor God by enjoying my family, nature and peace and quiet.
The trouble with Plan B was that by the time Sunday rolled around, I was so crabby from my week of frenzied lunacy that I was too tired to honor the Sabbath. I dragged myself to church and then spent the rest of the day yawning and bemoaning my exhaustion.
Finally I concluded that honoring the Sabbath might be best embraced in small increments rather than in a single 15-hour chunk. It might look a bit different, too – less quiet, less monastic – from what I originally anticipated.So for now, at this time in my life, the Sabbath is a slow bike ride with my oldest son on a crisp autumn afternoon.
The Sabbath is snuggled into the couch reading a Percy Jackson novel aloud to my youngest boy.The Sabbath is snapping photos in my backyard of scarlet maple leaves and sumac draped like prayer flags.
The Sabbath is snatching 20 minutes on the sun-warmed front step with the Bible open on my lap.
Monastic quiet and a chore-free Sunday aren’t realistic for me right now. But 15 minutes of Sabbath scattered here and there like gems throughout the course of a day? Now that I can do.
Do you practice keeping the Sabbath? And if yes, what does that look like? Is it a whole day or more piecemeal like mine?
I try to get everything done before Sunday so we can be together as a family. It doesn’t always work out that way, but we try.
I know, it’s worth it sometimes to have a whole day of quality family time and rest. A lot of times, though, Rowan has a sports activity on Sunday afternoon, so I end up running around anyway.
I can appreciate your take on the Sabbath. I try to do the same. Church, family time, meals together, maybe a movie. As long as we’re spending time together I’m at peace.
Same here! I guard our Sunday’s.
Oh yeah, a movie…now that sounds like a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family!
It is difficult in our culture to observe the Sabbath, but even taking small steps in that direction can be freeing. My “little ones” are gone most weekends, though sometimes I get to share Sunday afternoon with my 4 year old granddaughter. I’m learning to be more intentional on the Sabbath, but it is a challenge even without two little ones! Welcome to the journey, Michelle.
Intentionality really is the key with so much in faith — and in life — isn’t it? Good point, Sheila!
Any time you can take to simply rest in the Lord is good time, Michelle. Beautiful reminder here . . .
Blessings!
I agree, even it’s only in snatches of 20 minutes at a time. This coming weekend looks free and clear, though, so there might be hope for more than 20 minutes!
You made me laugh out loud on a night when I needed to do that! Thank you. And you’re right – a week of dedicated lunacy does not a Sabbath make. But your 20 minute rest periods?? Perfect! Just like you.