Is it still cool to be busy?
I few years ago I was at a conference where a psychologist was reporting her research on the idea of a Sabbath. I don’t remember her name or much else from the presentation but I remember her saying that in America the only Sabbath we believe in is cancer. She meant that we are very particular about what we count as a socially acceptable reason for doing nothing, and cancer is one of the very few remaining. During tight economic times, it may be especially difficult to justify a day of rest.
I think about this now as my children are enjoying the 3rd snow day this year and many people are deciding to stay home due to the current blizzard conditions. I suppose blizzards count in some way as acceptable reasons for slowing down, at least for school children, but we all know we should “make the most of our time” while snowed in. Right? I wonder why the Old Testament wasn’t so clear on “making the most of our time” on the day of rest. Hmmm.
What a waste. Or is it?
In counseling I talk to couples about the need to waste time and words on each other, like they did when they first met. I believe that one of the healing components in therapy is in making the decision that it is okay to “waste” one hour a week on one’s self. Sometimes it’s okay to slow down, even stop, rest. Sometimes it’s actually bad not to.
For many of us, we may still need 52 snow days yet this year to catch up on our days of rest. I pray it will not take something like cancer.
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167hours
Guest Author
short and to the point… and very true!
‘Sometimes’ I think when something happens to force us to slow down it’s God’s way of saying take the time to heal… whatever you need… it could be the words between a husband and wife that need to be said or time to re-frame some life situations…. or simply to organize yourself(and don’t forget to organize in the important R&R time) :)