LovingHim-RaisingThem

As a family we aim to practise sabbath. A day of rest, delight, fun, beauty and togetherness.  Sunday through Friday is busy with life. Like most families we juggle work, school, cooking, cleaning, shopping, after school clubs, church, friendships, exercise and a few surprises along the way! So Saturday is a day apart from duty and obligation. It is removed from expectation and demands. We all love it.

Two weeks ago we got a puppy and it’s been a little crazy to say the least. Where some vague routine used to exist it’s plunged into survival mode. The previous 7 weeks included 4 trips away, although sabbath is something we practise….let’s just say it’ been a while.

I woke up on Thursday and I was done. The house quite understandably was a tip and my abiliy to cope with it was over. I decided when Saturday came we were going to have a sabbath. I know myself and my family well enough to know we never rest as well in chaos. Rest is not just a lack of activity it’s a state of mind.

So for 2 days we all chipped in and cleaned and tidied the whole house. At 7pm last night after 48 hours I finished the final touches and set the table for the following morning. I sat down and chilled….it was worth the work, I relaxed and slept like a baby.

I woke up and I felt so light,  the joy of just walking through a clean house, eating, reading, playing, laughing and connecting,  without the weight of jobs that would normally need to be done. The kids felt valued and seen as a special place was set for them at the table in place of the normal rush and grab of a bowl of cereal

We took our time, we went out for a walk and giggled at Barney diving in the sand. We ate chips in the car then came home to a movie

I’m typing this in the bath now the 24 hours nearly over. We never switch off on a Saturday night with last minute plans and thoughts for church on a Sunday. So this 24 hours is our good gift given to us by a good God if we will take the time to plan for it and time accept it

Every Saturday is not perfect. That’s not a standard I would ever try and aim for.  I don’t want a perfect life.  That doesn’t’ exist. But I do fight to live by my values and sabbath is a value that keeps our family, faith and sanity strong.  It let’s our kids know they are important. I remember I am a human being and not a human doing. We all remember that we are loved for who we are and not what we do.

Is there a lapsed discipline or delight in your life?

Have you ever considered a sabbath? Life is busy,  our minds and timetables are busy. Every family is different and a whole day doesn’t’ work for everyone,  could you set apart a few hours?

Do you need a rest?

Love Emma x