First off, yes, I know that my title is not grammatically correct, being that the word Sabbath is a noun and not a verb. So humor me and enjoy.
Last night I decided that tomorrow "aka" today I needed to rest and recharge because it has been a rough week and if I expect myself to function properly next week, which I do then I needed to rest today (Sunday). So, I picked out the activities I wanted to do and planned out my day of rest. I was getting rather excited because not only do I love to plan but I was also going to do activities that I like doing but do not make nearly enough time for.
When I woke up this morning I was ready and excited for my "Day of Rest." I got ready and went to church. It is so good to be back in the building and not just watching my pastor preach on-line. I am grateful for the technology and how we can use it during these difficult times of Covid-19, but watching my pastor preach online versus in person are two different experiences, both good of course, but different. Plus it is great to see the familiar faces of my church family again. God did not create us to be by ourselves or to be isolated. He created us for the community, so being back in the building and seeing people in person is very refreshing, especially for the extrovert that I am.
After church, it was time for a Sunday afternoon nap. Partly because I did not sleep well but also because who does not love a good nap on a Sunday afternoon.
Once I woke up Blessing and I (my dog) went for a good trail walk/run. She loves a good trail run and I love to watch her enjoy it. Once off her leash she takes off like a shot, runs fifteen feet or so and, then looks back to make sure I am coming. She takes a minute to sniff and then once I am closer she takes off running again and the routine continues. She loves her off-leash freedom to run but also likes to stay close to me. You could say we have a special bond and I love it. My husband and I do not yet have children, so Blessing is very much our baby, and yes, she knows it. After our five km walk, we headed to a park where I practiced my photography hobby. Flowers are my favorite thing to photograph, so I love going on photo walks with Blessing in the Spring and Summer. We do enjoy the snow and winter, I was born and raised in the North after all, but there are only so many pictures of snow-covered trees that I can take before they all look the same to me. Blessing also makes a great photography assistant, she is happy to sit by my side while I focus on the perfect shot. Then she is rewarded with a good sniff while I look for the next flower to photograph.
After I was satisfied with a couple of great shots I used a gift card for Starbucks and treated myself to a double chocolate chip frappuccino. I had intended to get Blessing a Pupiccino but they were out, she was not impressed. Maybe next time.
Once we arrived home I took care of a couple of chores in preparation for this coming week, had supper, and, then went back outside where Blessing and I worked on her "heel" or as we call it "with me." Very happy with her progress thus far. She is eager to please and loves her food. Yes, she worked for her supper tonight. I figured that her grumbling stomach was the perfect motivation for her to focus and learn this new leash skill.
After a wonderful restful day, we are snuggled up in bed. Blessing is passed out at my feet and I am topping off the day with journaling, another hobby I enjoy, which is also being typed up for a blog post. Have not blogged in ages but I want to start being more intentional about doing it. As I reflect on the events of today I think I have finally learned what it is to take a day and rest or as we believers in the Lord Jesus Christ call it, Sabbath. I know that when I have rested and am recharged I can better serve my family and those around me and properly represent the love of Jesus Christ to those around me. Because I am pretty sure that being cranky and short with people is not how God wants me to treat people. Luckily God knew this about me and everyone else on earth and planned accordingly, because, when God created the world He did it in six days, and on the seventh He rested and blessed the day, making it holy and, then gave us the commandment to keep it holy. I admit I am not very good at taking a Sabbath, despite it being a gift from God, but going forward I am going to be more intentional about taking that God-given day off. He has blessed me with activities that I enjoy, ie photography because when I am taking pictures of flowers and other such things in nature I get to enjoy His creation and artwork and then share that with my husband and dog. Not that Blessing cares about the pictures, she just likes to be outside with me.
So, friends, I pray that you too would find the things that give you life, bring your joy, recharge you and bring you closer to God.
God Bless
~Ruth
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