People who know me really well know that I have a hard time taking time to slow down. I like to have things planned and having a schedule. My husband has complained on occasion that I don't know how to really take a day off because I'm always finding something to do that keeps me from slowing down and taking Sabbath. I've been this way for a while. If I have a lot scheduled, it keeps my head in the game and helps me to focus on what my next task is. So seasons like Lent are seasons that I love because there is plenty on my schedule to keep me busy and keep my mind focused on what is next on the to do list.
But it's not as easy to keep up at 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant. My growing belly and baby have forced me out of the rushing around and into taking time to get where I am going. I also am taking extra care so I don't get too worn out. So I've decided to make my lenten discipline giving up some of the busyness and taking time to slow down and appreciate sabbath time. Some of the busyness is essential and life giving, there's worship and sermons and Wednesday evening activities, there are hospital calls and pastoral visits, there's final preparation of the nursery and washing of baby items and house cleaning to do. But there's some of the busyness that I've brought on myself, busyness that is not essential to my ministry, my marriage, or getting ready for my child. So I've decided to let some of that slide and to push away any guilt that hits as a result. Because this time it's not just self care that is involved, but also care of the little one growing away inside of me and of the most important human relationship in my life.
Late winter and early spring have a tendency to be very busy times of the year. Between school and work and sports and band and other extra curricular activities, it can be hard to get some time in edgewise to slow down and take sabbath time. But sabbath time is essential.
Think about flying: during the pre-flight instructions, the steward/ess always says that if there is a drop in cabin pressure and there is someone who needs assistance with their air mask sitting next to you, you need to put on your mask first...otherwise you're going to be rendered useless. The same can be said for the rest of life. If we don't slow down to take care of our selves and the most important relationships in our lives, we're going to wear down and become of little use to those who depend on us.
Jesus knew this, we hear many times in the Gospels that he went away from the people so he could pray. When he did this, Jesus took the time to tend to his own well being as well as the most important relationship in his life, his relationship with God. It's not selfish, it's following the example of both Jesus, and of God, who rested on the 7th day after spending 6 days creating a world that was and is Very Good. And it's obeying the commandment to honor the sabbath day and keep it holy. As one of my seminary professors said quite frequently, God created us to pray and to play...to recreate and re-create.
So, to be honest, I carry no guilt for having a new friday afternoon routine that includes a nap and some time relaxing on the couch catching up on a favorite tv show or movie series. I don't feel bad for taking some time during a day to lay low so that I can be on my game the rest of the day. What needs to be done will get done, but for a little while it's good to have a time out to relax and to thank God for sabbath.
What is your lenten discipline?
inspiring, Jen. Thanks!
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