There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25) Maybe it is my line of work? Or maybe it is the season of life I am in - - having four teenagers on the move? I am not sure, but I know this, I miss Saturdays. Real Saturdays, long Saturdays, boring Saturdays. Saturdays where the only task of the day was to fry up bacon on the stove and brew a pot of coffee. Saturdays where I would take a walk in the woods with my dog, throw him sticks, watch cardinals and blue-jays circle high up above singing lazy songs. What happened? I was talking to a friend this past Sunday and he looked exhausted, eyes sunk under dark circles of toil and ware. "How are you doing friend?" "I'm tired. Really busy. Feeling guilty." "Guilty for what?" "Not getting done what I planned to do. I was only able to attend two events instead of the four that I was scheduled to attend. I failed my friends, my church, my family again." You see, we all feel this way. No more Saturdays of leisure, sitting on the couch with your kids and eating peanuts while talking about what you want to eat for dinner. Gone are the long afternoons of putting together a puzzle or watching rain drops splashing up against the kitchen window. I miss those Saturdays when my dad would put some old records on the stereo and we would lay down in our living room singing together Jose Felliciano's "Come on baby light my fire." Did you know God intended for us to have Sabbaths, often? Days of rest, afternoons of laughter, moments where we look at each other in the eyes and smile. Why are we always running? Who are we competing against? Why do we have to win? Here is a story from Luke, let it sink in... "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her,“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” People actually hate this story. Some even have the nerve to get mad at Jesus' comments. Is Jesus ever wrong? "Yeah, but, who will do all the work? There is so much to be done? Places to go...people to see...meetings to attend...sports to watch....projects to accomplish....bible studies to attend....pictures to be edited on Instagram....movies to go see." There is only one problem - - because we don't stop, we haven't learned how to listen. Listening takes time. Listening is more than words, it's moments. I miss Saturday. I miss the discussions with my dad, mom, sisters, friends, neighbors. I miss watching a hummingbird feed just outside the screen door. I know, I only have myself to blame. But I blame our culture too for making me feel guilty all the time for taking a time-out. Maybe it is my job, maybe it is my season of life, maybe it is just me?
9 Comments
Dave
3/9/2016 06:52:19 am
This is really something I can relate to. It is not that all the stuff is bad, in fact most of it is important, but why is it always every Saturday? It seems like there are things everyday of the life and for some reason, the no word comes too hard for me. By the way, see you Saturday night at the Gathering, if not before.
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Chris
3/9/2016 07:13:03 am
Your comment cracked me up! See you saturday!!!
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Tom Tom
3/9/2016 07:42:47 am
Thanks for reminiscing Chris. This really takes me back. I have seen this also, over the years, since I grew up in the 60s and 70s. No one worked on Saturday except to do some chores, mow the lawn, bail hay or hobbies. Then we would all get on the hay wagon behind the old tractor and head to Long Lake for a refreshing dip and by the time we got home we were all hungry and ate summer food and watermelon. I do miss that although I have had the luxury to have a job that does not require too many Saturdays. I am looking forward to this Saturday because It will be nice out side and it will be the beginning of a week off between my old job and new. It will also be the Gathering and I always look forward church activities on the weekend.
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chris
3/9/2016 07:48:13 am
now that is what I am talking about...hay wagon, watermellon...thanks for reading and remembering!!
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Mickie
3/9/2016 10:33:30 am
I often think when our neighbors light that little fire in their back yard right next door to you, how great it would be to walk over with sticks, Hersheys Chocolate Bars and Graham Crackers, and say HI We brought enough for everyone, smell the smoke, Chris you bring you guitar and that beautiful voice of yours and just for an hour or so have a moment of childhood memories. With no worries, stress or pain, just the enjoying what the Lord has given us, each other, CHOCOLATE :-) Marshmallows; the whole shootin match. Look up at the smoke billowing up and just through the stars. Wow, how I remember moments like this with my grandpa playing his bango,,,,
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Chris
3/9/2016 10:45:54 am
So cool! Love it!
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Jill
3/9/2016 10:40:52 am
We feel that same way in our family. About a year ago, we started saying "no" more often. I'm happy to say that we've been able to get more relaxed family time. By the way, as off right now, there is nothing I HAVE to do this Saturday. That'll be wonderful.
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Chris
3/9/2016 10:46:09 am
Yeah!
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Buddy
3/10/2016 07:32:48 am
Being busy is a cultural merit badge. It's a badge I choose to rip off of my uniform and burn in the campfire. Yes, I stay pretty busy as it is with work, marriage and two little kids. However, I deliberately schedule down time. If I don't schedule it, I won't get it. Being constantly busy is a consequence of the success mentality and the winner mentality. It also comes from a subconscious drive to not give oneself any spare moment to self reflect. Self reflection might cause me to question my life choices and feel guilty for sin. I'll stay busy to avoid that. Staying busy is also a way to show wealth. All of the activities I'm in which require money prove that I have ample means to be engaged in all of it....I'm a winner. I have money. I'm in demand. People need me. The world would fall apart without me. Selfishness, greed, and self importance fuel this fire of insatiable busy-ness. Not you, Chris. Our culture.
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