How Sabbath Has LookedI've been ruminating on this post for a while, and after a fairly wonderful sabbath, I feel it's the time to write. Last semester, Sam and I were up to our eyeballs in events, obligations, weddings, parties, you name it. We both breathed a huge sigh of relief when winter break rolled around and we had nothing on the calendar for months. I have absolutely loved the time at home - especially Saturdays, when I am productive. I make a solid breakfast, clean the house, do some meal prep, work out, and oftentimes see a friend. Saturday night is when our Sabbath begins, and although there is nothing more satisfying than a good meal and a movie to end a day of work, Saturday night has been just about the only part of my Sabbath that I enjoy. Sunday looms. I dread my day of rest. It's a combination of "I have the WHOLE day with NOTHING planned" and "Tomorrow I have to go back to work... for five whole days." (Don't get me wrong, I love my job, I just get more anxious about it when I'm not there doing it.) I've been wanting to, honestly, hate my Sabbaths less. I guess I've never thought twice about having a Sabbath. I think I began doing it sophmore year of college because the Bible said I should and I've never really skipped it, save a week here or there. It has gained meaning over the years, especially from a sermon I heard when we were visiting Boston. The Pastor preached that the Sabbath was for us to rest, recreate, and reflect. Those three words gave me the structure I longed for and helped me to realize what I was missing - reflection. Last Sunday was a Sabbath low for me. Sure enough, 2:00 rolled around like clockwork and I was bored, antsy, and beginning to have full-on Sunday evening blues. I completely impulsively threw on some hiking clothes and dragged Sam to a (sort of) nearby state park to go on a winter hike. I managed to salvage that Sunday, but as we were driving, my dear husband (after I pleaded with him to fix my problem) suggested that I come up with a plan for my Sabbaths, since planning is basically 100% of how I function. I had been thinking the same thing and was glad that planning Sabbaths ahead of time seemed to be allowed. I decided to plan my Sabbaths in two ways: first, a general manifesto of what I would like my Sabbath days to generally look like, and second, a concrete plan of a few things I would do, decided upon before Sunday. Sabbath Refocus - A Quote From Margaret FeinbergSabbath isn't about what is done or left undone, as much as breathing in the goodness of God. The more I inhaled, the more I desired another long breath. Sabbath ManifestoI find that Sabbath days can be best spent when I... ...begin & end with prayer ...spend time outside (preferrably in nature) ...do some yoga ...journal & reflect ...eat a few treats (but not foods that I am intolerant too, I've done it and regretted it) ...eat fruit and drink plenty of water ...create calm spaces with candles, incense, coffee, and music ...avoid "consumerism" - mindless purchasing & mindless online scrolling ...create something ...spend a bit of time with good people ...end my Sabbath with an hour or two left to prepare for the week ...in everything, create a space to hear and a space to breathe A Sabbath Well SpentI don't expect that every Sunday I will feel like I kicked-butt at having a Sabbath. Just like not every quiet time feels like I'm moving Spiritual mountains. The point is in the discipline more so than the outcome. God has given us the Sabbath and asked us to honor the Sabbath, so I desire to follow that regardless of my own comfort/success/happiness/perfection. That being said, here's how my Sabbath was well-spent today. Putting on some soft music and doing yoga & journaling with some incense burning. Baking a process-type bread (cinnamon raisin, gluten-free) that I had to wait to rise, bake & cool. Eating homemade leftover curry with Sam - in front of the window instead of in front of the TV. Enjoying the aforementioned cinnamon raisin bread with a collagen vanilla latte and a good book. Sam and I also played a few rounds of Catan, did some dishes, and will be heading to spend a few hours at a Superbowl party tonight. I planned a little outdoor hike in Eau Claire, but unfortunately it is too cold for that business. Tonight when we get home, I will make some meals/snacks for the week, journal to reflect on my weekend/week ahead, pack my lunch & work bag, and call my sister, my favorite Sunday night routine.
0 Comments
|
Archives
December 2022
I'm guessing I'll have it all figured out by the time I turn 30.
|