The Lord's Sabbath

When I was a boy, my sister (9 years older than I) made most of what she wore. Often she sewed on Sundays to which an aunt would say, "You're going to have to undo all of those stiches someday in heaven for going against the Sabbath."

Recently, I was reading Brennan Manning's Abba's Child and was interested in his chapter on
"The Pharisee and the Child," which had a focus on the Sabbath. He pointed out that the intent of the Sabbath was not so much about a lack of work (rest) as it was to remember the sovereignity of God with His rulership and stewardship; to memorialize the covenant relationship God has with His people; and, to join Isaiah in making it "a day of delight."

Reflecting on this reminded me of a study and practical application we did on the Sabbath that was a real turn around and foundation setting time in our family. The study involved seeing what God did on His sabbath in Genesis 2:2-3. He rested from His work, not all work, just His. He reflected on what He had done and blessed (sanctified) what He had before Him. In our family we put this into practice by taking an evening every week in which we asked everyone to reflect back on the previous week (particularly as it related to their walk with the Lord) and share it with the family. Then they shared what lay ahead for the coming week. It is amazing how this stimulated each of us to listen to what was going on in other people's lives and make sure we were able to report how we were allowing the Lord to be a part of our own lives. By looking forward we knew what each person's schedule looked like and how to be praying for one another.

Finally, the most important thing we took from the Lord's first Sabbath was the need to bless. After everyone had shared, I would speak a blessing over Betty and she would do the same for me. Together we blessed each of the children for the week ahead. The married couples spoke blessings over each other, since they had already established their own household.

Imagine what it would have been like to grow up hearing your parents speak a blessing over each other and you every week. Practicing "The Lord's Sabbath" of reflection and blessing turned our family around and the Sabbath became a highly anticipated time rather than a dreaded, dull, legalistic experience full of condemnation and guilt.