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I recently read a blog posting by Renee Trudeau where she
wrote about weekends. Two things stuck
out in my mind. The first was that she read a statistic that said Facebook experiences the highest volume of
traffic on Sunday morning. She also wrote
that “weekends should be primarily for rejuvenation and rest – not for getting
stuff done.”
When I was a little girl growing up, the state of New Jersey
had something called “blue laws”: which
prohibited much general commerce.
Most stores were closed on Sundays in observance of a day of worship or
rest. You didn’t do a lot of shopping on
Sundays… in fact, you didn’t do a lot of anything as I recall. It was almost a forced time of sabbath, and
by that I mean a setting aside of a day as special for prayer and a period of
rest. I remember Sundays as a time when
family would come over for the regular Sunday dinner. We would gather together at my grandmother’s
house, and Grandmom would use the good china, glasses and silverware for the sumptuous
meal she would prepare for the family, and the visiting aunts, uncles and
cousins. After the meal we would help clean up, then go and
play and enjoy the day outside when it was warm enough. There were no video games, no texting... just enjoying the sunshine, making up games, board games when it rained, coloring, crafts and creativity.
Another thing I remember about Sundays was going to
church. We would go to Sunday school,
and then to worship service in the big sanctuary and we’d spend time
before and after the service visiting with the other members – friends we saw
during the week and folks we only saw at church on Sundays. I looked forward to the Sunday school where I
would see my once-a-week friends; we’d listen to the Sunday school teacher and
learn a Bible lesson, and usually do a craft and sing songs together and
play. Even as I write this I smile and
feel warm as the memories flow over me.
Sundays, that time of sacred and restful sabbath, were special, a time
set aside like no other day of the week.
Fast forward (and I do mean FAST forward) to 2013 to a world
where technology rules, we are accessible by any/everyone 24/7/365 via cell
phones, email and text messaging. Quiet,
restful Sunday time has been replaced by the kids’ sports which are scheduled
on Sunday mornings, running around playing catch-up with chores and activities
you couldn’t finish on Saturday. Almost
all stores are open early morning till far after dark to sell, sell, sell. We
are not simply engrossed in the hustle and bustle of life – rather the day
is full speed ahead at a frenetic pace leaving us frazzled, exhausted and
frequently depressed. The new “blue law”
is that by Sunday night, instead of feeling rested, relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated,
we’re collapsing and miserable as we deal with the “where did the weekend go, I’m
so tired and I don’t wanna go to work tomorrow” BLUES! We drop into bed far later than we should and
wonder what has happened and how can we stop this vicious blur of a merry-go-round ride on steriods? No wonder Facebook sees such a surge on
Sunday mornings – the caring community of worship and gathering of family and
friends to share a meal and fellowship has been trampled and lost, and we’re
left feeling lonely and empty.
However… there is hope.
You have the power and the choice and the right to STOP AND SAY NO! Instead of conforming to the world’s
insanity, instead become the instrument of transformation for you and your
family and friends. You can bring back the
sacredness of sabbath by setting aside Sundays (or Saturdays, if that is your given sabbath) and guarding those boundaries
like a rabid pit bull. Reschedule your
calendar so all your chores are done before Sunday. Open your home to family and friends for
special Sunday meals – have pot luck dinners if you don’t cook or to ease the
load on you as the sole chef. It doesn't have to be elaborate - something as relaxed/simple as a hot bowl of tomato
soup with a grilled cheese sandwich is always tastier when shared in a relaxed environment
around a table with special people in your life. Make time to sleep a bit later, go and
worship as a family. Plan to talk a walk
or a drive to a local park.
Underschedule your day so that you don’t necessarily have to be
somewhere or do something all day long.
Teach your children to just “be”, to learn to rest and enjoy the moment.
Turn off the TV, read, nap… gently get ready for your upcoming week. Make it a technology
sabbath as well by turning off the gadgets or at least minimizing their use. Create a special day
just for you and your loved ones. Yes, it will be odd and possibly resisted or downright opposed/challenged at first as it’s completely opposite of what society now holds so dear – the go-go-go that leaves us unsatisfied and unfulfilled. But stand firm and keep those boundary lines intact!
Wild women, this is my hope and prayer for you this week –
that you will buck the system, go against the flow, and wildly recapture a sabbath
day for yourself, your own sanity and for those you hold dear. Exercise your right to hit the off switch and
reclaim the peace and tranquility you so need at least one day a week. After all, even God rested on the seventh
day!
Blessings,
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