Monday, September 25, 2006

It's Monday. It's my Sabbath Day. I usually turn off the computer on Mondays, giving my "beast of burden" the same leisure I would have given my ox or my donkey in Old Testament times. I try to give my car the same gift.

But here I am. I'm here because I woke up this morning nagged by a hundred little details that I never seem to have time to get to during the week. None of them very important, but none of them the kind of thing I want to get into when I'm not sure how long any of them will take. A lot of those details have to do with cleaning up computer files, updating information, that kind of thing - all innocent and simple until you try to do one with a time limit and/or a weary brain.

So because they were disturbing the peace of my Sabbath, I decided to attend to them. I feel better. I still don't know what I did wrong yesterday when I tried to scan some documents so I could get rid of the paper piles. It's not important. Today it worked. I got some important orders placed. I updated records. I deleted a whole lot of trash email. I feel lightened and enlightened.

Now I can enjoy the afternoon. I plan to occupy the sofa and read "Prince Caspian." In the evening I will find a DVD and knit on the prayer shawl I'm making for a friend who will become a first-time grandma next month. I'll cook something special for dinner, although I'm not sure yet what it will be.

I wonder when and how others enjoy Sabbath. Are there special activities you do on that day? Are there things you try to avoid doing on the Sabbath? What makes it Sabbath, and not just a day off.

11 comments:

Theresa Coleman said...

Welcome to the RevGalBlogPals!

zorra said...

Hi Lauren--I linked to you from the RevGalBlogPals, and when I saw you were at the Lake Village church that got my attention. My name is Nell Sistrunk Schwartz and I grew up in the Greenville church, right there on John Calvin Circle. I live in metro Houston now. I don't have a blog but you can usually find me hanging out on some RGBP site or another. I'll be checking in from time to time!

Anonymous said...

Interesting thoughts on the Sabbath and being so intentional about it.

welcome to RevGalBlogPals!

St. Casserole said...

Welcome to RevGalBlogPals!

Anonymous said...

our family have our sabbath on Saturdays ... no housework or shopping ... we intentionally try tohave time for each other and for God. It works for us (most of the time) ... though church would keep us busy if we allowed it

welcome to revgals

Sally said...

If I can I try to get out of town- my fav place is the beach- I'll take time to walk there, blows the cobwebs away in winter!

net said...

From one quilter to another - welcome to RGBPs! I have a Grandmother's Fan queen size quilt in the frame about half way quilted!

Be blessed!

Melissa said...

Welcome to the RevGal ring!

I have recently become a Monday Sabbather. My Sabbaths have been crazy over the past few years (they have to be flexible as a student), ranging from a Thursday to the traditional Sunday. Except...I can't do Sundays anymore as a student assistant pastor. Hence, the Monday. It's taken me a bit to get into my routine!

I try relaxing things - getting out in nature, cross-stitching, playing a mindless computer game or two, and generally trying to get myself more centered and feeling, well...more human.

DogBlogger said...

Hey, do you know the Rev. and Mrs. Taulbee over at the UMC? They're college friends of mine -- er, of The Typist's, that is. Dogs don't go to college...

Lauren. said...

Yes, I do know the Taubee's. Todd-Paul and I try to do Ministerial Alliance things together, and I run into Elizabeth from time to time. And since I'm a Duke basketball fan, I salute the banner when I pass their house during the season.

Unknown said...

welcome to revgalblogpals.

and all I have got to say in answer to your question is what Sabbath?