I had no idea what this would look like. I’m serious. I’m about 8 weeks into practicing this new habit and quite frankly I’ve been at a loss. It didn’t look right. It didn’t feel right. Every single week something went awry. I read books. They were good. Sounded great for those people. But, I couldn’t get into a routine. Each week it felt wonky. It’s like catching a unicorn. I’m pretty sure they’re real but they’re so darn elusive. If I could just get hold of one and put it into a nice box/cage then I could figure it out.

Here’s what I used to think Sabbath was – some kind of punishment – like an old movie where everyone sat around in uncomfortable church clothes in an airless room. Why on earth would someone want to do that? Answer: they wouldn’t. In the books I read I found a thread running through each that suggested turning from the busyness of life toward a special time of enjoyment in creation and a time of reflection. There is nothing mundane or boring in that! And guess what? It looks different every time and it looks different for everyone who seeks it. It’s a snowflake. Unique and totally amazing each and every one. I am so in.

Here’s what is working for me: Freedom to linger over coffee in the pre-dawn solitude of my patio listening to chirping frogs, owls softly hoo-hooing, a whippoorwill talking to another whippoorwill in a tree far away. The freedom to make easy meals. The freedom to NOT make the bed. The freedom to wander around a local greenhouse. The freedom to get my hands dirty as I lovingly add to my garden my little greenhouse find. The freedom to take a nap. To read a book. See the word? Freedom. It means I get up earlier. Put grocery shopping on hold. Straighten the bed as I rise instead of returning to make it just so. Do laundry on another day. I am finding that during the week I am working toward the enjoyment of this special, set apart time.

I allow myself the freedom to live differently for the better part of one day so that I refill myself with the beautiful treasures hidden and waiting just for me. They are my treasures. Meant for me. Placed lovingly by someone unseen but who loves me more than anyone in the universe, who gives me permission to enjoy creation and the created and a wonder-filled world.

I think I’m starting to get it.