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Rest

 

I had the most wonderful day last Sunday. If you have followed my journey you will know that this year has been difficult; having my brother stay for three months when his relationship broke up, project managing renovations that took seven months to complete with little communication if any about when tradesmen would turn up, helping organize 140 year celebrations for my church, keeping up with my volunteer work and duties around the home plus my husband’s ill health. Then in September, I took on a walking challenge which in retrospect was a pretty silly thing to do at a time when I was already tired! I was thrilled with coming third out of ten people and walking 121.6 kilometers for the month though. I really felt I had accomplished something. However, I am not young anymore! Two weeks ago the renovations were completed and I had the spare rooms ready for my family for the 140th celebrations by the skin of my teeth! I literally finished unpacking the guest rooms, which had been storage rooms during the renovations, three days before the family arrived, thoroughly cleaned the day before and finished final preparations the afternoon of their arrival.

The celebrations were wonderful but it was a busy weekend as expected. We loved the time with family and were sorry to see them off on their journey home after lunch on the Sunday. Unfortunately their car broke down about an hour later on a hilly, windy road where there is little cell phone reception. However, God was in it all. They broke down on a section of the road where they were able to pull right off and there was room for the children to get out and play safely. The rain had stopped. There was cell phone reception so they could organize help. It ended up being a bit of an adventure for the children even if they were four hours late getting home. Praise God.

Anyway, last Sunday I spent the morning at church leading the children’s program. I had spent some time before church reading my Bible and praying, so when I arrived home I did very little for the rest of the day. I felt totally physically and mentally exhausted from the accumulated events of the year. I watched end to end Hallmark movies, snacked, ate a wonderful dinner cooked by my husband and finished my evening reading a Christian book. It was exactly what I needed and gave me the energy for the week to come. I was so grateful to God for this day of relaxation.

Whatever your personal perspective is on what is acceptable to do on the Sabbath, we need to remember that we were not meant to serve the Sabbath, the Sabbath was meant to serve us— yes to spend time with God but also to take time to rest, to take time out of our normal routine, to take time with family. God bless you each.

 

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