Sundays

I've wanted to post for awhile about our Sundays - I may have posted this before but I can't remember.  Sundays have become our (or at least my) favorite day of the week.  For the last few years we've really tried to make Sundays our Sabbath - a day of rest.  It's been wonderful.  I really try to rest (at least as much as I can with 1 and now 2 small people at home).  We do church in the morning, but I try to have leftovers or something really quick for lunch.  Last night, while I made supper, I put together a quick soup that I could just heat up today when we got home from church.  I don't clean, do laundry, go grocery shopping, or various other tasks.  When Liv was still napping I relaxed - watched football, read, looked at a magazine, did my Bible study, and on a rare occasion "crafted" something...  Then when she stopped napping we had quiet time where she played in her room, and Aaron and I could still have some down-time of our own.  We're still doing the same during Tate's nap. 

Then Sunday evenings is our dinner and a movie.  Our supper-time staples are typically venison summer sausage, cheese, crackers, carrots or other veggies, and apple slices.  And we usually add some sort of chips and dip or popcorn.  Then we set up camp downstairs and eat and watch a movie or show together. 

Now this isn't perfect from week to week.  There's some Sundays I'll put in a load of laundry, or we'll leisurely run an errand together as a family.  I may wash some dishes, but I try not to :).  But here's why I love Sundays - it's not become some legalistic observance, but a chance to mentally and physically disengage.  I don't feel guilty for not cleaning cause it's Sunday; I'm going to rest.  Things that don't get done Saturday get pushed to Monday.  We go for walks, take a bike ride, play outside, sit around, play a game, read books - do fun things as a family.  It's become an island of calm in the midst of a busy week.  God really knew what He was doing when He called for the observance of a Sabbath.  It's so helped me recharge, connect with the family, and be ready for another week.  It's become a day I guard and can feel it when work or something else necessitates us being gone or doing something else that day.

I write this not to sound super-holy but to encourage you to try the same.  Take a day to slow down, cease striving, and rest.  See what you think! 
(Photo above courtesy of Liv taken today, Sunday :).