Transformational Tuesday: After the Sabbath

Here's our report on our day of ceasing last week...it was truly a transformational experience that we highly recommend!

Since this was our first time doing this, it actually took quite a bit of planning and effort, but it was well worth it. The days leading up to our day of rest took a few runs to the thrift store (for candleholders, centerpiece accessories), the grocery store (traditional food items, candles), and making sure to grab some flowers to remember creation. Everyone in the family pitched in to make sure that all the work was done so it could truly be a restful day. The house was cleaned, kids made sure their "chore sticks" we're completed early, technology was tucked away where it wouldn't be a distraction from each other, and our table was set as if we were expecting a very special guest (which we were). 

So lucky to have these gals to myself!

An extra setting was placed at the table to visually remind us of our true Guest of Honor. When Sy found out that God was going to be in that seat, he asked to take a picture with Him... What a fun picture to have.

I think the big G man was definitely enjoying this hug from Sy

As the beginning of our Sabbath began, we all were more than ready! I will admit that trying to have a nice leisurely meal with that guy in the back of this picture was not exactly restful. We couldn't keep the food coming fast enough! Regardless, we gave it our best shot and had fun.

Getting ready for 24 hours of focusing on what's important

Our meal was full of traditions, prayers, and blessings over each member of our family. It was a time to really stop and realize that we have been given so much. Essi got to light one of the candles and say the Redemption Prayer. Sy got the big job of praying and passing the handwashing bowl before our meal.

Phoebe did a good job of not splashing her brother

Our entire 24 hours took work to not get drawn back into old habits like getting sucked into media or checking our phones. In fact, we turned all that off so we could focus on each other. It is going to take practice to really get into the groove of this, but our part is just to remain faithful to the instructions we've been given. I can see that it will take a while to undo all our years of rushing around seven days a week, but we will continue to practice this fantastic day.

Please comment if you have any questions about our day!

Btw, a quick shout out to My Father's World for providing the practice of these traditions in their curriculum!

Transformational Tuesday: To Cease or Not To Cease?

I want you to picture a firefighter sitting in the middle of his fire station, reading with tears running down his face. I'll tell you that it's not an everyday occurrence, so it's quite a sight to see... This also makes him easy prey for other firefighters and their jokes.

Heather and I are working to prepare for this year's school for our kiddos. I can tell you that it hasn't been an easy preparation, because we have come to realize that our lives do not have the margin we need in the midst of all our current obligations and distractions. Trying to prepare for something really important while stress continues to mount is not a real fun task. I will also tell you that there has been great discussion in our home about the need for change and how we can bring more peace and a healthy rhythm into our family. We have had many discussions about the pace being set around us and the tendency in our culture to continue to run, and run, and run without end. There are so many things to do, so many places to go, so much news to gather (especially from social media), etc. that it can go on and on forever. Can the life we are all hungry for be found when everything around is a blur?

One last thing that I'll point out is that Heather and I have paid close attention to many health-conscious non-Christians around the world and how many of them sometimes do a better job of realizing their need for ceasing. When we compare ourselves as Christians and the community of these folks I just mentioned, there is a stark contrast. We are watching as some non-Christians actually get the fact that they must take time to temporarily put everything aside and refocus on their lives and how they are being lived. Jesus' life was a clear example of the need to withdraw for a time to focus on God and our relationship with Him and then go from there. It has been spelled out clearly in the Bible the need for stopping and resting, but we believe that we must continue to push our lives and our gas tanks beyond what they are capable of. What happens after this is not fun to watch. Marriages disintegrate. Children's hearts are "managed" and not nurtured. Health fails and illness prevails. Addiction grows. The list goes on, but you get the drift, right?

I just finished reading a chapter in a book that we will be using for our school year called "Celebrating Biblical Feasts In Your Home or Church". The first chapter goes over God's most important holy day, the Sabbath. We know how powerful the Sabbath can be and we've seen it modeled, but when you really take the time to understand all the gifts that God placed in it, it can make a guy cry in his firehouse. When you don't take advantage of it, it's like having best present in the world sit in the corner of your house, still wrapped, decades after it was supposed to be opened and enjoyed.

We all need a day to reacquaint ourselves with our Father who loves us beyond measure and is the sole provider of all our needs. My wife needs a day to cradle Ash (while he's still little) and not be rushed or respond to screams in other parts of the house. Sy needs a day where we can work on his new Lego set like I've promised for months. Essi needs a day to be snuggled and given full attention to her random comments. Phoebe needs a day where we can appreciate the new stampwork that she put all over the sides of her bunk bed (grrrr...). I need a day to tell Heather how much I love her and couldn't live without her. We all need a day to not worry about how things are going to work out and what our next steps are. This is what Sabbath is.

I will let you do your own research on the Sabbath and the gifts in it, but all I can say is that I'm sold. My rotating schedule makes it a bit tough, but I can promise you that this week will contain a day of following the instructions as close as we can. It's not easy, but I can already see great benefits waiting for us to grab onto. There's only one catch...we have to CEASE (which is what Sabbath translates to). As much as I would like to have all these benefits while continuing to run, it just can't happen. Don't be deceived that it can. Here's a quick quote from the book mentioned above:

So much of life as we know it has become hectic and exhausting. Important meetings, exciting activities, sports events and very good causes are pulling families in a thousand different ways. People everywhere are busy being busy--never stopping to really rest. When balanced, our activities during the week become preparation time for the Sabbath, somewhat like a path leading us to the gate of a garden...It can become a time for us to rediscover places inside ourselves that are forgotten during the rest of the busy week.

We will keep you posted on how our Sabbath goes, so stay tuned. I already wish it was sundown on Thursday!

I also guess that I need to confess that that crying firefighter was me. It was worth it, though.

"You have 22 new messages."

I’m so busy.   Life is crazy.    I can’t breathe.    I’m tired.    I’m stressed.    It’s chaotic. 

So lately I’ve been doing a lot of listening, studying, and soul searching in regards to busyness. It seems like I hear people over and over talk about how busy they are, how tired they are, or how crazy their lives have become. In this age, we are overwhelmed with emails, voicemails, facebook notifications, text messages, etc. We can never just power off, or so we think. We lose our sense of margin. We are always running from one activity or event to the next... Our time of “rest” entails grabbing a cup of coffee at our local Starbucks usually with our laptop or phone in hand. Sometimes it’s like we almost measure people’s “success” based on what their calendar looks like and how booked out they are. “Maybe we can get together in three weeks?” I often hear moms applauded for all that they do--the busier, the better. And if they manage to do this, this, this, this and this... Wow! Then they are really amazing! On the other hand, if you are a person that does have any time or extra margin in your life, you must be a loser that doesn’t get invited out to do much. 

We can even be busy for the sake of the gospel but meanwhile, are we “losing our own souls?” I can be as busy, scheduled, and stressed out as the next person but internally I struggle with this because for me, once I start running ragged my spiritual life definitely takes a nose dive. Where is the joy He promises? Christ died to give us the abundant life. I’m not sure that the word abundant here equates an overly full calendar with our reminder alarms going off every five minutes. I’m learning that the abundant life is a choice and that we are not victims of our schedule or how we spend our time (and I seem to forget this daily and have to keep reminding myself over and over). :)

I think the Scriptures are clear and Elijah can attest that God doesn’t always yell but rather gently whispers (1 Kings 19:11-12). I just love this passage... So I have to be self-reflective, “Am I taking the time to hear His gentle whispers? Am I listening at all? Am I quiet and still before Him? What does that even look like?” “Where is my joy?”

Soul care is something that I’ve realized through the years is absolutely necessary, although definitely not something I have mastered. Our mentor and dear friend, Stephen Smith, has written several amazing books but I am currently enjoying his one entitled Soul Custody--Choosing To Care For the One and Only You. He states that we are given only one life to live. We can’t go back and hit the re-start button. “...the message of soul care seems to contradict some of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ, like, ‘Deny yourself,’ and, ‘The man who hates his life will keep it?’” But Steve beautifully writes, “Caring for your soul is never a selfish or egotistical act. It’s really an act of stewardship. We steward our souls by caring for them well. How can we continually give what we do not have? Caring for the soul is an act through which God can replenish your heart, restore your soul, and revive your day so you can meet the challenges of life, work, and relationships. Far from being labeled as sin, soul care is actually a biblical command.”

Proverbs 4:23:  “Above all else, guard your heart. For it is the wellspring of life.”

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently.”

God invites us to rest easy in Him and only after that can we effectively love and minister to those around us--whether it’s our spouse, our children, friends, or others in need. Jesus was a great example of this cycle in his life. I’m learning that if I have put nothing into my own soul care then how can I pour myself out for others? 

So anyway, I’m loving this mighty reminder to take custody of my soul and to step further into intimacy with God. It’s something worth fighting for! It’s easy to get caught up with thinking that I don’t have the time but really, what else is more crucial and satisfying than resting completely in the arms of our Savior? Just to rest... soak in his love... feel his embrace... lay my burdens at his feet... let my worries fade away... and know in my innermost being that I am His beloved. 

“Soul Custody is a clarion call--a prophetic call to do something significant with your life before it’s too late.”  --Gary Chapman