Sabbath Moments

We're at my brother and sister-in-law's house in the country. We always prioritize rest while on vacation, especially when we spend time with family. We like to explore, see new sights, and play, but spending time savoring moments and conversations are what make our vacations sabbath moments. The longer we fellowship with Christ the more cognizant we are of the pace the world demands of us, and that it is out of order with our Creator's. So I am sitting here in the country, typing on a computer that is still dial-up because there is no other service option here...and I'm reminded again that it's okay to slow down.

We've slowed down to:
~feed the horses and play with the barn kitties
~throw Frisbees to multiple dogs who wrestle each other for the Frisbee prize
~sip coffee on the back porch, surrounded by fields, woods, and mist rising from the ground
~laugh until we cry, relating stories of life with loved ones, who in our world now we see so infrequently.

Isn't there something wrong with the "progress" that takes us away from "living life" with our families? I tend to mull these thoughts more when we're home. So many things I'd have loved my children to learn from their uncles and aunts. So much more life I'd have loved to share with my nieces and nephews. There's a lot of influence I would have liked to weave through the Benton/Armstrong's from the wisdom of these families lives.

Pondering...

I don't find time for being in God's presence - in His word - when we're on vacations. I find myself torn between spending time with God and spending time with my family that I see so little of. And forget about getting up that much earlier! Each day that I neglect that disciplined time I dwell on it's loss more and more. I miss my sabbath moments with God. So, how about you? Do you make time for fellowship with God while your on vacation?

We're entering the time of year when our pace quickens, sometimes more than our heart. This time of year we set aside to remember He who was, to rely on He who is, and to hope for Him who is to come. And His love is so lavish. He surrounds us with those who know us, who are part of our story.

I know I won't have that set aside hour or so every day - the time that seems to set my day in the best order possible. But as I enter these holidays and times of fellowship, I will dwell on the lavishness of God's love, and remind myself that Sabbath moments are to be found everywhere.
~in the thrill of boys hay-bale jumping
~a shared cup of coffee on the back porch, while the mist rises from the fields
~and joyous laughter around a table that reminds us we are part of something so much bigger than just ourselves - never capable of truly being alone.

"O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD.
You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold
me."

Psalm 139:1-10

A slower pace. Receiving one of the gifts He has given, called family. And remembering that my love is born out of gratitude for a God whose love endures forever. He is consistent, faithful, relentless, extravagant, unrestrained..."such knowledge is too wonderful for me."

Enjoy your Sabbath Moments this week, Favored One!