Sabbath

A September 2001 Fourth Day article.

How to practice for a simple Sabbath:

• light a candle (this is asking for God's presence); put a candle in your prayer place
• practice thanksgiving (part of continual conversation with God)
• invite a Sabbath pause
• take a walk (labyrinth is a good thing to do)
• create a Sabbath box - drop in it whatever you don't need at the time(to do list, keys, etc.), or drop in a special worry
• get a massage
• walk barefoot in the grass
• turn off the telephone, television, washer and dryer
• choose food you love; put flowers on the table
• reset your internal compass; take time to decide what's really important

From USA Today, April 4, 1999

Prayer

"I heard a story once about a man who had always wanted to go on ocean cruise. For years, he put away a portion of his meager earnings and finally saved enough to pay the fare: $1300.00 - every penny he had. In fact, he packed himself a basket full of peanut butter sandwiches because he knew he would not be able to spend another penny once he boarded the ship. As he enjoyed the swimming and the sun deck and the fresh air, he noticed how well the other passengers were eating. They seemed to do little else. Wherever he looked were lavish spreads of appetizers, salads, fruits, breads, and desserts. At the end of the long buffet table, chefs were carving mouth-watering slabs of beef, roast turkey, and rack of lamb. On the last day of the cruise, his curiosity got the better of him. He stopped a passing steward, who was carrying a particularly delicious looking room service tray. 'Excuse me, young man,' he asked. 'How much does a meal like that cost?' The steward was taken aback by such a question, but managed an answer. 'Sir, you don't understand. All the food you want is included in the price of your ticket.'

How tragic to be given such a privilege and not use it.

As Christians, we share a common destination. Along the way, however, some of us eat better than others. We can feast our way through this life, dining lavishly on the grace of God. Or we can settle for a peanut butter sandwich. It depends on to what degree we access God's grace. The difference is prayer."

-- From A Guide To Spiritual Success by Dr. Tony Evans

Both the article and the story hold a great deal of meaning for me. When I made my Cursillo in May, 1997, my whole life changed! I became more involved in activities at the church I attended because I wanted to do that. I continue to desire to want to do more. I have a tremendous thirst for knowledge, so much so that I have enough books to read right now that they could last me the rest of the year, even if I read one a week! I want to write articles or reflections about those things for which I have a passion. And, when I read or hear something which moves me, I want to run out and tell everybody!

Now you may be wondering what any of this has to do with you. Well, the paragraph about my experience may have nothing to do with you. Don't make the mistake of thinking that everybody will walk away from a Cursillo weekend feeling exactly the way I did; that's not the point. Whatever a person takes from their weekend will be valid because God gives us each different gifts. It's the next part that's about you as well as me no matter what our gifts are or how we live out our ministry.

The only problem with my particular passions is that I more often than not do not make Sabbath time. My Sabbath can't always be Sunday, so I need to set aside some other time as Sabbath time. Not only is Sabbath time necessary to my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, God commanded it; God rested. Jesus also rested; He had to regularly get away from the crowds to "recharge." No matter how much I may love what I'm doing, I won't do it well if I don't take care of myself on a regular basis.

Also, I'm embarrassed to admit, I don't always pray as I should. I can hardly imagine what I have missed along the way because I didn't access the gift of God's grace. I do know some of the peace I have missed because I didn't do this. His grace is always there, just as those buffet tables laden with food, and it's FREE!! It was included in the price that Jesus paid for us; we didn't even have to buy our own "ticket!"

So, whatever you received from your weekend - peace, community, healing, love, direction - remember these two necessities of life now that you're "home," Sabbath and Prayer. They probably won't make you a millionaire, and they won't make your life problem-free, but they will definitely improve the quality of your life.

De Colores!
Dawn C. Beaver

1115 Marion Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 | 803-771-7800