About six or seven years ago I took a Judaism course at the U of Regina. One section of the course was on keeping the Sabbath and the instructor shared about how contemporary, but non-orthodox, Jewish people would keep the Sabbath now. I really did think it was a great idea to work hard on the preceding six days, preparing food and getting tasks completed so that the Sabbath could be “kept holy.” Keeping Sabbath wasn’t only attending worship at the synagogue, nor was it a day devouted to prayer and scripture reading (but that is true as well). An aspect was gathering with friends over food (not necessarily a meal) and talking or playing games – it was the social aspect that was important. Another activity is reading purely for pleasure, listening to music, watching a movie. It is a day of “giving up” the “I’ve got to get this done!” attitude that keeps us from relying on God. Ever since that class I vowed I would yet “keep” one Sabbath.
Not yet…..not today.
It’s been a good day. I was the supply preacher for Francis (about 45 minutes east and south of Regina) and Vibank (looping back up towards Regina). I was expecting that the two congregations would be comprised of mainly elderly members – the opposite was true. I’ll be preaching and leading the service again next month. My biggest mistake was forgetting to take a bottle of water. After reading the lessons and preaching, I had to struggle to keep my voice for the second service. Newbie!
I am always really tired after leading worship services. By the time Doug and I got home the Rider football game was on (they won!). I watched for a bit but Durant had thrown 3-4 interceptions and I couldn’t take any more. I thought, “I really have to get all that crap cleaned off the spare bed!” My other thought was, “I’m so tired that I won’t have the emotionally energy to keep hanging on to all this paper!”
When I came back in June I dumped all my boxes in the extra bedroom. When Rhett & Leah were coming home at the end of August I knew I had to get the bed cleaned off. I brought up one bookcase from the basement (of course I had to do something with the stuff that was on it first because I wasn’t going to add another bookcase to the house!) and began unpacking my books. Then I ran out of space and had to empty the second bookcase (in that instance I had to buy a new DVD-CD rack.) And what I didn’t get done got put on the small bed in the “office.” Well, today I finally got all the papers sorted through and the bed is clear.
Now the dogs have lots of choice of where to sleep. And if we ever get company … I promise to wash all the bedding again before you come! Please come! And we’ll keep Sabbath together.
I love Sundays … always have, but today was not a day of rest here either! Instead it was a day of food, too much food in fact! visiting, fun, laughter, hugs … with Pastor Barry and Alice, Clarence Lange, Russell and Margaret, Gerald and I and Trevor …. venison steaks, scalloped potatoes, creamed cauliflower/broccoli, spinach salad and FRESH, yes fresh, raspberries – picked yesterday (they are from our ever-bearing raspberry plants) and angel food cake. But, no wine … supply has run dry….so I may indeed take you up on the bed-for-a-night offer, which, no doubt, would include lots of talking, fun, laughter, and the odd glass or two….
What a great day! And I can’t believe you still have raspberries … and angel food cake (my favourite).
Now, if there was only a way to have most all of the food prepped the day before (which I’m sure you did) – this is exactly what “keeping Sabbath” means.