Sabbath Rest

That's right folks. I'm gonna be all 'religious' about not writing one day a week. That will be my 'Sabbath Rest'. I believe in it as a concept - taking a day off each week not only to rest, but to recharge, reconnect with family, God and his other kiddos. Yep, I do believe in the concept of 'Sabbath Rest', and not absolutely the traditional Hebrew understanding of a Sabbath. I can hear Hovel and other characters from the Fiddler on the Roof singing, "Sunrise Sunset, sunrise Sunset...."

I am not exactly observing certain hours for my Sabbath Rest, but it is basically one day - through the evening and night, until the next morning.

That might not seem like a big deal. It's not huge, but I just want to give people a heads up. Letting people know what to expect from me on my Sabbath helps my Sabbath Rest be more awesome.

Head's Up:

You want to know what Sabbath means to me if you expect this blog about my silly International Family to have a blog every single day. Right-O! There will be no blog when I'm chill-laxen with Jesus, family, and church family.

Let me say that again. What Sabbath means for me is important to anyone who might look for a blog tomorrow evening. There won't be one. That's because I am committed to writing to express myself and get this thoughts written down; however, I am not actually going to let this writing project take away from my day off with the family in worship and relaxation.

My amazing friends and co-workers understand that there is one day a week that I don't open emails, or social media. I literally disconnect from the virtual world, and don't even take phone calls or respond to work communication unless it is an emergency. People know not to contact me unless previously organized, or it is an urgent emergency that requires my attention.

In my line of ministry 'work' there a lots of emergencies. We've seen lots of green missionaries run themselves ragged reacting to all the needs and emergencies around them - there is a real possibility that I did that too. I have learned a lot about urgency however....and responding to urgent need is a great way to become popular, but it can kill people....and drain energy. I'm not gonna respond to everyone's emergency that they think I can help with.

I'm not the best or worst missionary, like I said somewhere in between. But to some observers, I might not have a spotless image because I don't jump when someone is desperate for my help. I've learned to really think about the emergencies and the needs presented that would cause me to jump up right now, and go fix the problem right now! Is this a genuine need, or a scam? Is it something that can wait until morning? Is someone's life in danger? Am I the only person who can help right now? I'm not really super cynical, it's just that some of my experience has taught me to ask these questions.

Some things really do need an immediate response. Holy Spirit is such an awesome helper!!!! Totally relying on God and the amazing people in our lives has taught us how to better respond to needs and emergencies. Taking a day to unplug from virtual connections, and work or ministry related communication is a HUGE commitment.  It is also a huge INVESTMENT. It helps us better know how to respond to urgent needs, and less urgent needs in a timely and loving manner. It also helps us when we need to see something for what it really is, a life sucker. Sometimes people say they needs us, but they don't. Taking a Sabbath Rest helps us to have a clear head to know how to confront that.

We learn to get really chill when the world is going up in flames, because a major crisis happened last week or the week before. I'm serious. There are really big emergencies, but sometimes I have no power over them or anyway to affect them --other than pray. I do pray, and trust that God knows how to love his children. If Papa God wants to use my life to bless and help someone then I better tune into his voice and guidance on a normal basis, and connect with his other kiddos just to make sure that we are all getting similar instructions from Papa God...

So all that is to say that I will respond to the lesser sized emergencies in my 'normal' work hours. Big emergencies will be responded to, but only if it is actually my responsibility to direct traffic or correct mistakes or help...there won't be writing emergencies that I can foresee, I'm just letting people know why I am a stickler. Mind you - it took a long time to actually learn that I had to take a Sabbath in order to survive. So when I start a new project, experiment, or task I will apply the same boundaries for rest. There are six days to work on stuff, and one day to just chill-lax.

We like it, our family likes it, and we are better people for it. So tomorrow there will be no rambling words to try to read through or not and give up half way....

That will be Monday. Yes friends, Monday is coming. and I will write again.

I know you think I'm silly. Who cares if you take a day off writing? I do. I'm just setting a precedent because I love myself before I can love others.

I do write everyday, It hasn't been on a blog though....so this 'Sabbath Rest' Heads up is very much for me and my family, and for Jesus as well as any reader who happens to read to the end of this blurg.

Just me, Missionary Momma Mia