It’s the forgotten commandment. I’m down with “Do not murder”, “Do not lie”, “Do not steal”. Every now and then I have to remind myself not to covet my neighbor’s stuff or circumstance (I am so blessed!). There’s just that one little commandment that I don’t keep. If I think about it, I am kind of surprised that it’s listed with the “big” ones like murder, stealing and worship. Can you guess what it is?
“You shall keep holy the Sabbath. On 6 days you shall labor, but on the 7th you shall rest. You shall do no work….”
What?!
Do you know I’m a mom? Is that possible? A day of rest? Sounds quite glorious, actually.
In the first years of our marriage, Sundays would find James relaxing on the couch and Michele running around doing laundry, cooking, making lists, cleaning, organizing… whatever I could to “get things done”. He would look at me and say, “Would you please sit down and relax?”
“Easy for him to say!” I would think. “Who is going to do the laundry, grocery shopping, cooking… I have to do these things!” Yes, I would “get things done” but then be a nervous wreck at the end of the day, frustrated and overwhelmed that Monday was a few hours away. Back to the rat race…
We all need rest. God Himself set the example in Genesis when He worked for 6 days then rested on the 7th. He designed us in such a way that we need rest. And obviously, some of us need to be told to rest (if the shoe fits…).
Yes, as moms we have responsibilities we cannot shirk. You cannot ignore your children or let them go hungry. But you also don’t have to fix a 5 course meal every day or spend your Sunday wiping base boards. If they’ve waited this long, they can wait another day.
What I’m saying is this: Mommie, find ways to rest. Look at your calender, see what you can do to free up a day to enjoy your family. Ask for help. Plan, cook before hand or have cereal for dinner. Take off the guilt of false responsibility and take a Sabbath. God knows you need it. I need it. If I want Mommie Monster to stay away, I better make time to rest. My family will thank me for it.
Remember, keeping a Sabbath is not a holy option, it’s a commandment.
You shall make time to rest (Yes, Mommie needs to rest!).
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:8-11
