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It snowed overnight
at our house. Our family's big golden retriever couldn't wait to get out in the
backyard and roll around in that frozen beauty. She absolutely loves snow. My
daughter was delighted that her school was cancelled and celebrated by making a
pan of Rice Krispie treats. My son celebrated by making a big and
delicious pot of chili.
I remember how
excited I used to get when snow brought the promise of a day off from school. To
tell the truth, I still feel some of that residual excitement when it snows. Of
course, now I have to clear the driveway and sometimes drive over icy roads to
get to work, but even as an adult, I really enjoy the snow. And when it's a
snowstorm so big that all question of having to go out is removed, I can still
have that relaxed and happy feeling. In some ways, snow can be almost an imposed
Sabbath observance for me.
When the Bible talks
about observing Sabbath, one of the important reasons for doing so was that "you
were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord God brought you out from there.."
The Israelites were instructed to remember their history of
slavery as an integral part of their practice of Sabbath. Slaves and masters,
rich and poor, and male and female share a common humanity in God. We gather
before God in that common humanity -- equally loved and
valued.
Sabbath represents a
break from the routine of work. But more than that, Sabbath is an attitude we
choose. Sabbath practice is to let go of our striving, our struggling, and our
efforts to get ahead or even to keep pace with others. It is to practice being
in the present moment and trust that our true abundance lies in the reality of
our lives within God's life. It is to immerse ourselves in acceptance, oneness,
and the luxury of loving and being loved. And the Sabbath we practice can become
the life we live. I believe this is God's dream and I pray it becomes a focus
for all of us during this season and throughout the year.
Thanks for continuing
to bless me as we journey together.
Jack Price
FYI - Jack has published several articles at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jack_F_Price
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