I love the Sabbath

On Friday night we watched Fiddler on the Roof. My children had never seen it and I haven't seen it in years.

I love the preparation Gilda gives to the Sabbath. She is reminding everyone to "hurry, so you're not late for the Sabbath!". Yesterday I made it a point to prepare everything so that we would be ready for the Sabbath. It always amazes me how much nicer the Sabbath is when I put the preparation in to it. I wish our Sabbath began at sundown. Maybe when I'm an old widow I will do it that way. It is such a wonderful time of day to me. The Jewish people always begin their Sabbath with prayers and a special meal. What a wonderful example!

I recently re-read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It is my favorite in the whole Little House series. I love Almanzo's mother. She is a wonderful example of a Proverbs 31 woman. There is one thing, though, that I don't like. I don't like how all they did on Sunday afternoon was sit. They weren't allowed to do much of anything. Almanzo sat on a chair for hours. I realize they were interpreting their faith in their way but I'm thankful I'm not the one stuck sitting on a chair for hours.

I have tried to approach the Sabbath with reverence. I'm quickly seeing that when I put in the preparation time I am able to do just that. Everything is laid out and ready to go. A nice meal is planned (one that is not too labor intensive)so that there is a spirit of rest about the whole day. When I am able to approach the Sabbath without a rushed and harried feeling I feel closer to the Lord. I can hear His voice more clearly.

Many times I will choose to nap after Church. Not always though. Today I'm going to rest for a little while but then I'm going to sew. I haven't had the opportunity to sew in a very long time. And I really enjoy it. I believe that observing the Sabbath can be done in many ways. I prefer quiet activities that invite meditation, prayer, and reflection. When I am mindful of this I find myself more able to start the week on a good note.

I would imagine that the Proverbs 31 woman took care to prepare her household for the Sabbath. I've already written in to my schedule for next Saturday, "Prepare for the Sabbath" so that I can enjoy the next Sabbath as much as I'm enjoying this one.