Sabbath

It is January and I am having a sabbath. I am resting amidst the hustle. I am delighting in quiet moments. I am devouring beautiful frosted mornings and still quiet nights. And I am giddy from the pleasure of doing so. I don't feel like rushing. I am savoring this season too much.

Still

Life is busy. And technology keeps cranking up the tempo. What previously took a week to accomplish, now is possible to do in minutes via fax, email, text, the Internet, some combination thereof, or some other modern gadgetry. It is exhausting. And, ironically, despite all of this quick access to everything, we are not better for it.

During my husband's unemployment, we gave up our cell phones to trim down our expenses. Our budget was fairly lean anyway, so there wasn't much else to cut. It just made sense. Upon hearing this, I had several people look at me as if I'd announced that we were becoming Amish and giving up all electrical devices. Others treated this news as if we were brave contestants on some reality show. And while I will admit that there were a few minor instances when it would have been nice to make a quick phone call, I really haven't missed it and don't feel at all diminished without one. I love being unplugged. It allows me to be present in the moment.

In the midst of our technological "advancements", God hasn't changed. He is not trying to keep pace with our crazy world but continues to move in his own rhythm and time signature. He is not beholden to our whining for instant gratification. In the symphony that he has composed, the rests are as important as the notes which are played. And, if we are to fully encounter him, we have to set ourselves to His metronome.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Slow

If I am not careful I can approach the Christmas season like a project, giving myself a syllabus of activities to complete and check off by the due date. There is always pressure to write, address, and mail the annual Christmas letter, shop for, wrap, and distribute presents, bake cookies, decorate the house, find and trim the tree... the list goes on. While all of those activities are lovely and part of my enjoyment of the season, I never want to become so wrapped up in celebrating that I lose focus of the reason for the celebration.

What I really crave this year is time to be still and meditate on the lyrics of my favorite carols such as "Oh, Holy Night", "Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him," and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." I want to fully appreciate the magnitude of the incredible event that Christmas commemorates; To spend quiet, intimate moments with my saviour and reflect on His goodness to me over the years. At the end of an especially trying year, this is my grown-up Christmas list.