Sundays and New Beginnings

This entry is a little dated.  I originally wrote it on the first Sunday that we had animals on the farm, but it is just as relevant now.

DD seemed to have a tummy bug over the last few days so she couldn’t go to Sunday school.  She and I stayed home while DH and DS went to church.  Since DD is not even 3 and always loves to be doing something, we only had a short time of worship together – we read a Bible story, her choice, Noah’s ark, and talked about how wonderful it was that God gave the world a new beginning with the ark and an even better one with our redemption through Jesus.  Then we prayed and thanked God for those new beginnings and for our new beginning here on the farm.  We then spent some time singing praise songs together while she played.

Then I busied myself with things around the house.  It hit me as I thought about everything that always needs to get done that now more than ever, I need to remember to rest.  God commanded the Israelites to “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)  Jesus reminded the Pharisees “The Sabbath was created for man…” (Mark 2:27) (yes I know that I am taking that a little out of context but just go with me for a moment) 🙂

God created us and knows that in our crazy, fallen, need for control lives, we over do, over commit, and STRESS about everything that WE have put on our plates.  He created and commanded a day of rest so we could recharge.  So our families could recharge and reconnect.  I don’t think that God needed to rest on the 7^th day of creation.  I think He, in His infinite wisdom, was modeling what He wanted us to do.

God does everything and creates everything for His glory.  We can use our days and times of rest, no matter how long or short they may be, to glorify Him.  We need to slow down and thank Him for providing an inborn need for rest and be willing to make it a priority.

I need to remember this and show my kids that rest is important.  Spending time just being and not always doing is more than important, it is essential.  Without it, we get crabby and tunnel-visioned, and make ourselves sick.  We alienate ourselves because we are so tired that we are poor company.

There is always work to do on a farm and in a family.  I need to be willing to stop and let some of it go until tomorrow.  Those dishes and dirty clothes will be fine until tomorrow.  Those baskets of clean shirts can go unfolded for 1 more day.  That grass won’t grow too much overnight.  We only have so much time to cherish the ones we love.  Carve out time for them.  Join me in making a fresh start and taking time to rest.