The Sabbath

Enjoying a weekly Sabbath has been a process for me. At first I had to realize that it wasn't a reward you earned for finishing all your work for the week. The true gift of the Sabbath was stopping with the work yet undone and recognizing that the world is not going to end. Learning how to rest with a list of things calling out and demanding my attention was a spiritual discipline. It was a weekly lesson on surrender and trust. The universe and my life is held together by One other than myself.

Next, I had to learn what to do with a Sabbath. What are the things that truly bring rest and delight to me? How am I best replenished? Depending on the week, it can vary. With some experimentation I've found a few of my favorite's are: worshiping at church, going to the lake for a walk, eating dinner with family and friends, gardening, napping, playing piano, and reading. Listening to my underlying needs has made the Sabbath a real joy.

Recently, I read this quote and now I find myself stretched in my Sabbath practice again.... "The Sabbath is not just a break in the pattern of daily life but the whole meaning it." Margaret Silf

I think I have still viewed the Sabbath as the one day created to serve the other six days. You know, the days where we do the important stuff we call work. It's like the purpose of the Sabbath is determined by the work of the week. I think it's nice of God to give me a day off so I can work harder the rest of my week. 

What would happen if I saw the Sabbath as the most important day of my week and let the other six days find their meaning and purpose out of the one? What if this day set aside for enjoying a relationship with our Creator is the essence of life and not our work?

I am challenged. I think at the end of the day, I still identify a lot with my work and the little world I think I control in daily life.

I am also invited. To a new way of viewing the source of my life and identity. To understand what is really living and to let everything flow from this space called the Sabbath.

Living our best lives is freedom to live as children cared for by a Heavenly Father and to understand our destiny in his presence. The Sabbath is a gift that gives us both.

Awakened

A couple of nights ago, Natalie and I took our dog Leia for her evening walk. This aspect of life is so routine, even Leia knows which streets to turn at. As we strolled along, Natalie and I enjoyed our time of simple banter mixed with the comfortable quiet you share with someone you know well. My thoughts drifted in and out as I relaxed into the cadence of each step.

“Is that the sound of a cricket?” asked Natalie breaking the silence.

As I awakened myself to hear what she was listening to, my ears were filled with a cacophony of nighttime sounds. It was a concert of what seemed to be a million insects, amphibians, and birds. I could not even pick out the sound of the cricket at first because nature’s ruckus was literally that loud.

Sharing that with Natalie, she noted, “Yeah. Isn’t it amazing we walked all this while and didn’t even hear it?”

Yes. And now we can’t hear anything else.

This reminds me of God and his love. His presence is this enormous hug of love all around us. His song of rejoicing deafeningly loud in the silence. It’s so amazing. And we often don’t hear it.

May we be awakened in His love today so that we can’t hear anything else.

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17

One Thing a Thousand Ways

He will teach us one thing, perhaps in a thousand ways: "I am forming Christ in you." Dr. J. Robert Clinton

As I read this sentence, it causes me to catch my breath. I hardly can contain the emotion that wells up inside of me in this beautifully intimate and powerful statement.

I think he is right. 

It's amazing to hit 'play' on the movie in my mind and be brought back to all the lessons he has taught me over the years. All the ways he has been by my side: calling my name, forgiving my shortcomings, healing my pains, redeeming my losses, choosing me to be his very own dwelling place. Christ in me. One thing in a thousand ways. 

In return I offer to him, one thing is thousand ways. Me.

Living our best lives is often not what we think it is. We get sidelined and distracted by so much stuff. May we be brought back to this simple truth today and everyday... I'm my beloved's and he is mine.









 

Free to Wander

Adventure must start with running away from home. - William Bolitho

Last week, I was embracing the warmth of a grandmother's home filled with treasures of love. Today, my heart is drawn to explore new vistas with a longing for adventure and play. 

I don't think that's too unusual or surprising. For when we are most settled within, we are most free to wander. The two weave together as beautifully as the melody and harmony synchronize in a piece of music. 

We need the peace of belonging. The rest of a home. In the same, we need the joy of traveling. The energy of finding new places. If we only have rest, it can slip into slumber. If we only have travels, it can slip into running.

Living in sync is realizing the natural rhythms of resting and adventuring. One without the other leaves us lacking the fullness of life. Where is your inclination? What is your heart most longing for today? 

May you find the riches of both as you live your best life.  







 

Homemade

This week I have had the privilege of meeting new friends and staying in their home. It is one of those places that instantly felt like home sweet home. From the fresh cut garden flowers throughout the house to the quilts on the bed and the clothespins with hanging photos of grandkids... the creativity and simplicity has been refreshing.

There's something special about 'homemade'. In our busy moving, highly technological age of convenience and expediency, we often don't even realize what we miss as we rush about in our lives from one thing to another. Whether we are talking refrigerator art, wood projects, or dinner; when our hands and heart interact it becomes a special gift. And as those gifts are shared with others we multiply the blessing. 

We are not all master chefs or musicians or artists. Most of us don't have the time to dedicate to massive projects. How can we tap into the gift of homemade in a way that fits our lives? 

First of all, let's remember that homemade doesn't need to be a pie, quilt or scrapbook. I think homemade comes from anything you create that is uniquely you. It could something as simple as making "special noodles" as my mother-in-law did for my husband as he was a child growing up. Nothing special about them - It was simply cooked noodles in beef broth. However, with a little bit of creativity and love, these home-cooked noodles at the table became a very special gift to her son. 

A few things to consider... 

• What do you genuinely enjoy?  
• How can you embrace simplicity? 
• How could you be creative in something you already do?

Living your best life is being the best you in this world and sharing it with others. It's releasing our own version of homemade. Here's to making our lives home sweet home.

Work and Rest

 "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." E.B. White

Our desires to work and rest oft' go hand in hand. Truly, there is no greater reward than rest after a hard day's work. Likewise, there is no greater reward as work after a good night's rest. 

May you experience the grace of both these gifts. 

Come, we go.

 

A Prayer of Recollection: Come, we go. 

As I take your hand, I feel the warmth and strength.
You smile as my feet find their place on the climb.
I notice the back pack I carry, and I wonder what it holds.
It's not heavy or burdensome at all.

          It's to carry what I've given you.
         For the people you will meet along the way.
         For the weary and forlorn, for the distracted and disowned. 
         Freely you have received, freely give. 

I nod my head. Yes, I understand. 
May all you have invested in me be shared with those I am around.
May I skillfully and generously give away what has been so freely given to me. 

          You don't go alone.
         I'm here to guide and provide. 
         Take your gifts, they are for giving.
         Bring comfort, peace, and joy. 

Yes. And most of all, I give you. 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
May you live through me in every interaction. 
Amen.