I know this is a controversial topic, but I was pleased to see that our new church (Holy Trinity) has thought through the issue of the Sabbath in their Book of Church Order. Members are encouraged to prepare their hearts for the Lord’s day, rest from labors, and engage in devotional activities and acts of mercy.
I was first encouraged to think about what the 4th commandment meant during my freshman year of college, when my dear friend/mentor, Sarah Coker (who we saw this weekend!) presented it to me as a blessing, not a restraint. I can attest that it’s possible to spend three typical years of college without doing work/homework on Sundays. It’s all a matter of priorities. Sarah encouraged me to think about my day of rest as just that–a day when I didn’t have to feel bad about taking a two-hour nap or talking to a friend for an entire afternoon or fellowshipping with my accountability group. Instead of concentrating on a list of things that I couldn’t do, I loved that I didn’t have to do homework/work on Sundays. I can definitely say that for me, the experience was a blessing, not an act of legalism. I attribute my grades and sanity to it. =)
Fast-forward to this summer, when I felt so tired and stressed out from being “on duty” 24-7. Yep, 7. I don’t exactly know how moms can just stop working once a week. We don’t get a break, right? Fortunately, this is something that my mom and her friends have wondered about, and they passed along the book Sabbath Keeping for my perusal. The subtitle is telling: “Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest.” While I don’t agree with all of the author’s theology, I found her gentle encouragements and insights (based on years spent in Israel and Iran, where everyone stops everything once a week) to be helpful. One anecdote struck a cord with me–a young stay-at-home-mom like me says, “You mean I don’t have to work like crazy on Sundays?” That’s right, stuff like getting ahead on laundry or washing the sink full of dishes or even picking up the scattered toys really can wait until Monday if they are things that are keeping us from rest, renewal, hospitality, and worship.
I have to admit…it’s much harder to let go of my “list of things to do” now than it was in college. But I’m going to try to incorporate some of these Sabbath-keeping ideas into my life this fall: Making up a crockpot meal or doing all the food prep ahead so that cooking on Sunday is at a minimum. Setting the table Saturday night. Doing a sweep-through of the house Saturday night to make sure toys are put away and church clothes (and diaper bag, for young moms) are ready to go. Going out to eat after church with friends or family. Taking a nap. Taking a day off from media (wow, I can attest that it’s hard at first, but very freeing, NOT to check my email for a whole day!).
As we young wives aspire to the (somewhat overwhelming!) model set before us in Proverbs 31, let’s not get too busy to rest as any good Hebrew woman would have. I know several of you have great Sunday traditions (Rachelle and Leslie, I love how your family always eats together after the service! Anna, I’m amazed at how you open your home to your small group every Sunday evening!)…anyone else care to share ideas that have blessed you and your family? I can always use inspiration in this area!
Wow. Thanks for sharing Emily. Sabbath was an intentional day of rest when I was in law school, but since then I’ve let it become a catch-all day for activities. Your thoughts inspire and convict me, especially the creative ways you’ve found to Sabbath-keep in spite of the many tasks involved in being a wife and mother.
I’m interested in reading Sabbath Keeping, thanks for the book suggestion. It’s so funny you blogged about this topic as Josh and I were just discussing it last Sunday! Do you think, maybe, God is trying to tell me something? 🙂