Today is my Sabbath day.
To be honest, I tried to Sabbath yesterday. But the day quickly turned into a blur of “one last thing…” Before I knew it, we were halfway done, I had cleaned and cooked and worked outside, and I was feeling anything but rested.
So I’m trying again today. Differently.
I’ve committed to keeping my pajamas on all day, for starters.
It is surprising how the simple choice of what to wear can shape our actions and how we choose to spend our time. Pajamas invite us to lounge about and be comfy. A commitment to leisure. (This is also why I refuse to stay in my jammies on days when I have work to be done!)
How often are we driven by the fear of not being or doing enough?
The Bible talks about the importance of taking a Sabbath. Not only is it included in the 10 Commandments, but it is mentioned more than 150 times. Clearly stopping to rest is significant in our faith!
Over time, I’ve concluded that the art of taking a Sabbath isn’t about following a pre-determined list of do’s and don’t’s. That’s how the Pharisees get into such trouble with Jesus, after all. Instead, it is about making the time to rest and say,
Enough.
Enough working. I’ve done what I can for this week and the rest can wait in the hands of God.
Enough cleaning. The house is as it is for this day and more can be done tomorrow.
Enough creating. I’ll take a day to soak in the wonders of creation that surround me, confident that tomorrow I’ll be inspired to continue to do.
Enough simplifying. I can celebrate the strides that have been made and pause, assured that more can be done after this important task of resting.
Enough ‘connecting.’ Social media can have a day without my involvement, and will continue to march on.
You see, when we take a proper Sabbath, we are reminded all day how the outcome of everything is in God’s hands. We trust that what is most important to us can stand the test of time and be there when we get plugged back in. And, ultimately, we rest in the assurance that we can stop striving for x, y, and z and just be enough.
When we take a proper Sabbath, we are reminded all day how the outcome of everything is in God’s hands.
Because really, how often are we driven by the fear of not being or doing enough?
And the beautiful thing is that when we take these weekly Sabbaths, God brings us into these lovely spaces where our souls can breathe. So often our daily pace outpaces our soul’s need for worship, wonder, and being. God is essential to our survival, and yet God is often what we aren’t getting enough of in our way of being. By saying enough to our typical doings, we are invited to rest and be with God.
This week, may you take a day to proclaim, “enough.”
