I have come to realize that weekends are a misnomer. They are indeed at the ends of the week, but the colloquial term "weekend" meaning stress free, work free, etc is definitely not the case. Well most of the time anyway. I very rarely have the ability to have an actual stress free work free weekend. More often than not I am called in, called on, or overbooked for my precious days, supposedly, off. For example, this weekend I told my parents I would have the brothers stay overnight while they are gone, had planned a church event that I MUST attend, and at the last moment there was a funeral that I have to coordinate nursery personnel for. (Sidebar: who needs nursery for a funeral?) I have found that what I thought was going to be a welcome break from my work week to be suddenly filled with work and social responsibilities. I do not like being busy in general, and I often feel overwhelmed with days like tomorrow.

All of this being said, my husband introduced me to a concept that before our marriage was basically foreign to me. The concept is Sabbaths. Yes, I knew the term, and what it meant for Jews, particularly of the biblical era, but I was unfamiliar with the current ramifications of such a concept. I must say, that having Sabbath - ed consciously for close to two years now has given me a true respect for these Holy days. Sabbath - ing is purposely giving yourself (and your family, in our case) a true day of rest. You don't work, you don't clean the yard, mend those fallen hems, do laundry and dishes. You merely have a day where you can concentrate on the things that feed your soul. (If laundry does that for you go for it!) I have begun to realize just how important to my soul Sabbath - ing is. I need these days to feed my soul. I am sure that I would be languishing, and ever so grouchy, without them.

Dear Lord, please grant me the grace of a Sabbath, as often as I need one, and as often as you say I should have them. Grant me and my family peace, and allow us to enjoy the feeding of our souls!