A Very Long Holiday

"I feel thin. Sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. 

I need a holiday. A very long holiday." 

(Bilbo Baggins in "The Fellowship of the Ring")

We are in the midst of learning what it means to take "a very long holiday". Even learning on a deeper level what it means to take a "Sabbath rest". 

In anticipation of celebrating 40 years of being in full-time ministry this summer, my husband and I saved up some vacation days. In addition to these accumulated vacation days, we were granted a 30-Day Sabbatical. It all adds up to 3 months off. Three months off! A very long holiday for us. We are amazed. And one week into these three months, we are learning, and needing to learn even more. How to take a rest.

Jesus modeled rest for us. In an article in our ministry's monthly magazine, Worldwide Challenge, Katie Croft writes, "In Hebrew, the word (Sabbath) literally means 'to cease'. What ceased was God's tangible work of creation. What ensued was His holy delight. God rested."

"Come to Me,

all who are weary and heavy-laden,

and I will give you rest."

(Matthew 11:28)

In her article, Katie goes on to quote Mark Buchanan in his book, The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath, where he says: "Cease from that which is necessary. This is Sabbath's golden rule, one rule to which all other rules distill. Stop doing what you ought to do ... ceasing that which is necessary to embrace that which gives life."

Something to be learned more deeply - not just on "a very long holiday" such as our Sabbatical/Time Off, but routinely - even each week. 

As we are spending a major portion of our three months at our home, we obviously cannot totally cease from those things that are necessary, but we are actively seeking to focus on rest, and on those things that give life. Our first week was filled with life-giving gifts ...

Thanking God for His many gifts this past week ~

Extended Quiet Time with Him in a beautiful setting

Walnut Grove Park

A magazine article that came at the perfect time

Sharing our thoughts together as a couple - being of one heart 

Slower mornings

Rest

Making plans for a veggie garden

A son offering to help

Finding the perfect spot in our yard

Cedar 4x4s for the border

Tilling and purchasing plants and seeds

Sunny days

Patio flower pots planted

My husband's "green thumb"

Grilling and eating outdoors

Joy in cooking and menu planning

Summertime Chicken Tacos

New recipes to try

Grilled Monterey Chicken

Two grandkids here

A son here two days, helping

A daughter's birthday - missing her, in TX

Connections with a brother, in NYC

Help from him as we plan a trip to Maine

These words spoken many years ago to Moses - and for us, too 

"I will personally go with you ... and I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you." (Ex. 33:14)

Our need for Him to go before us, even in seeking rest

And His promises - always faithful

The incredible gift of three months off.

(Counting 1000 Gifts in 2012 #388-416)

Linking up with Ann at A Holy Experience, and Laura at The Wellspring.

And with Gail at Bible Love Notes