Originally posted at the Sabbath in the Suburbs blog.
What a month it’s been! This past weekend was the first weekend in four that I’ve been home. We made sure to take things slowly and Sabbathly, with lots of quiet lounging-around time in addition to chores and errands to catch up on. (The house was in fine shape, but when there’s only one parent in town, things go into batten-down-the-hatches mode.)
In the Sabbath book I wrote a series of sections called “The Work of Sabbath”—twelve different ways to think about observing Sabbath beyond the standard “don’t work” command. There are sections about seeking novelty during Sabbath, saying yes, fasting from one aspect of your work, etc.
This weekend we stumbled on another: Do All Things Together.
We had the standard Saturday errands to complete: Costco, grocery store and the like. Rather than dividing and conquering with an eye toward efficiency, we decided to tackle them all together. (“All together” meant everyone but Caroline, who is away with her grandparents.) Costco in particular is a fun time for our family. (Free samples! Admiring the bounce house hanging from the ceiling! Hiding in the giant shed! Begging for the jumbo box of Apple Jacks! OK, I could do without the last one, but you take what comes.)
I remembered fondly a family from a church I used to serve, who decided to make it their Sabbath activity to take the dog for a walk all together, rather than leaving it to whoever drew the short straw. The mother described the excitement on the dog’s face the first time she saw all five of them standing at the door ready for the walk. What joy.
How’s your Sabbathing going this summer?
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photo credit: daviesg via photopin cc
I’m rereading Sabbath in the Suburbs, going a little more slowly than my first rushing gulp through it last year, when I nodded and “Amened” through it in a distinctly un-Sabbathly pace. So I’m enjoying your recent Sabbath-themed posts along with my re-read.
Then today I see this over at Peacebang: “The felt shift in my father’s attention and presence was sad and upsetting and real. The next day he suddenly became snappy and critical, acting as though we were in a rush when we weren’t and not able to concentrate on our conversations.” ( more here: http://www.peacebang.com/2014/06/26/vacation-with-dad/). That post reminded me of your reflections on distraction, tech use, hurry, and presence. I was struck by how sharp the divide was I. Her experience of her dad on that trip. I wonder if we notice that in ourselves often enough, when we are in the dad’s spot.. It also reminded me of your thoughts on self care and health and sabbath.
That’s it. Just feeling like I’ve been having a long sabbath conversation with you lately and thought I’d let you in on it!
You know, I’ve held lightly to all this “sabbath stuff,” largely because my kids are grown and I live alone, and I set my own pace. I try to be careful of my time off and just go with the flow; I’ve never felt the need to disconnect from the cyber world, either.
Recently, however, after MANY years of being single, I’ve begun a new relationship with a wonderful guy. He lives two hours away from me, and our time together is precious. I’m beginning to rethink the importance of setting aside time when I intentionally don’t look at work email or answer non-emergency messages, time we can just devote to being together. The lovely thing I’m discovering is that simple things like grocery shopping, cooking, just sitting on the porch can be lovely and deep when you are intentional about being present to the one you are with. So maybe I am being more sabbathy….I’ll be interested in seeing how it goes as time goes on.
Me too! Thanks for sharing this-blessings on your Sabbath-tending. Whatever it looks like.