“There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.” Gandhi

A month ago I was at Costco.  I had to walk past Christmas trees to get to the food section! It seems that stores put out their Christmas decorations earlier and earlier every year.  I used to be surprised to see Christmas items right after Halloween, and now they appear way before then.

Two weeks ago a group of Episcopal students at Duke went to the North Carolina mountains to experience sabbath time.  It is interesting that our commandment is to “remember” the sabbath.  Sabbath is already a part of the natural rhythm of life, and yet most of the time we roll right on over it.

Sabbath is a time to rest and take delight in God’s creation, to give thanks for our many gifts, to call to mind that all that we are and all that we have is a gift from God.  It is a time to count our blessings, to disconnect from frenzy and accomplishment and to consecrate a time for healing.  Sabbath time is a forced STOP; there is never a time when “everything is done.” 

As we approcah the frenzied holiday season and end of the semester, let us all remember to set aside Sabbath time in our lives - whether once a week or a few moments each day - to step back, rest in God’s presence and give thanks.

Blessings,

Karen+