My friend, Jenny, posted this blog post of mine from 2011 on Facebook last week, and I hardly recognized myself when I re-read it. I’m finding it harder than ever to rest these days…to actually obey this commandment, which is one of the top TEN, or rather an important and overarching category of God’s whole Law.

I thought that embracing God’s call to trust Him with a ceasing of frantic, furious, frazzled work would come a little easier when the kids were all grown. I was wrong. An empty nest has only provided more opportunities to fill every moment of every day with activity.(I’ve also learned that life does not slow down when all the kids are post baby and toddler stage. I’m telling you, the teen stage is more intense in many ways. So, if you’re opting out of opportunities because you think the next season of life will prove easier – think again!)

So, I’m taking God’s previous nudging and my own words to heart today. And I’m also thinking about our upcoming sabbatical – 6 months away from home and church. I’ll be taking my final two graduate courses on campus at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, but I’ll also have more opportunity than ever before to cease striving, and I want to steward it well. Robert does, too.

Here’s the post from seven years ago. (My kids were 16, 14, and 11):

I’ve been reading about and pondering the Sabbath commandment for years ~ re-reading the 4th Commandment, looking at Jesus’ words on it, and reading instructional books on how to institute it into family life. I’ve felt guilty for shopping on Sundays, but even when I didn’t shop ~ i.e. “working” myself and thereby causing others to work as well ~ I was busy working at church, or at home serving, entertaining, cleaning, or ministering in some fashion or another.  Sundays have never been a true Sabbath in this pastor’s family.  So, we tried Fridays, and usually I could get away to drink a cup of tea or iced coffee while reading my Bible and prayer-journaling, but inevitably those coffee dates with the Lord would turn into a coffee date with a friend or college student, or a wedding rehearsal and dinner, or…..something.

In the last two years I’ve been more compelled and convicted than ever to observe the Sabbath, but fearing the accusation of legalism, my tendency to make everything in my life law and burden anyway, my mile-long to-do list, and the ever-present needs of people in my family and church, it just didn’t seem feasible, and therefore it didn’t happen.  I chose to keep going, though it didn’t feel as if I really had a choice.My heart and mind and body were telling me ~ or should I say that the Spirit was nudging me via these avenues and warning signs toward an obedient Sabbath, though.  It was even one of my New Year’s goals/resolutions ~ an intentional weekly Sabbath.  Well, it didn’t happen. I chose (though, again, it didn’t feel like a choice!) to keep going and ignore the conviction, the warning, all the while feeling the effects of my disobedience ~ anger, irritability, bitterness, despair, depression.  But the plates will stop spinning! I feared. Heck, the whole world might stop spinning if I take a day off.