Sabbath is something I have a hard time with. It’s not just a day off where I stay in bed. It’s not a day for running errands and catching up on yard work. Sabbath is about turning to God and dwelling in the holy. It’s a time to let go and just be. While I take vacations and time off I tend to fill those with adventures and tasks. The closest I get to Sabbath really is when I’m on a retreat or when I take care of Baby M.
Those of you who follow me on social media probably know by now that every Friday I take care of Baby M from 7:15 am to 5pm. During that time we play and nap and eat. I talk to her mom and dad during their lunch breaks or when they come to check on what that weird thunk was (I dropped my phone, not the baby!), but most of my day is focused on Baby M. I am present to her, sitting outside on the porch quietly watching the cars go by, a favorite activity, or playing with and talking about her toys, reading a story, or rocking her to sleep. I don’t often sit outside and look, but with her I do. I don’t take a lot of time to describe my environment and note how things work, but with her I do.
I think this is what God asks of us each week, to be present. To sit quietly paying attention. To orient ourselves around something other than our phones or our to do list. To notice with wonder what is. I am so thankful for the gift of this time, for the rhythm of these days when I can just be with her and be reminded that this, just being is more than enough.
May you too find moments of Sabbath in your days.
-Eilidh
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