For several years now, I’ve been practicing a day of rest.
I figured out a long time ago that I’m a workaholic, and observing a rest day is one way I stay healthy and sane. Keeping a Sabbath — one day when I try to do no work or chores — reminds me that the universe keeps turning without me, even when there are dirty dishes on the counter.
My Sabbath day of choice usually falls on a Sunday. I like resting on Sundays……for me the rhythms of the day naturally lean towards naps and family games and reading.
Lately, though, the Sunday rest hasn’t been working out for me. More often than not, I’m teaching or volunteering at church, sleepily rolling into the building at 7:30am. Plus, we’ve started a small group on Sundays, and while the group is awesome and fun and full of fellowship, it’s not restful. By the time I’m done teaching toddlers and facilitating small group, I’m exhausted. I eat lunch with my family, then crash for a long afternoon nap that leaves little room for anything else.
So I’m rethinking my day of rest, because right now it is anything but that.
I could move my Sabbath day to a weekday….perhaps Monday needs a regular dose of rest? Could I handle a Monday with no chores?
One friend suggested I look at rest in pieces each day….rather than trying to accomplish a perfect day of rest once a week, take time to rest each day. I fear, though, that I would try to take back control, checking rest off my list and then continuing in my too-busy ways.
Leaving the dishes in the sink for an extra day seems like such a simple thing, but in a world where I find myself constantly trying to fix, rescue, and accomplish, those lingering dirty dishes remind me that I am not the Savior. I’m a frail creation who needs rest and renewal lest she fall apart.
