Fri., Jan. 20, 2017

Leviticus 19:30 – I command you to respect the Sabbath and the place where I am worshiped.

 A few weeks ago, I marked off several days the end of January for vacation. Prodded by the church assistant, she insisted I plan for a vacation. She and I know me. If I don’t mark off the days, they will get filled.

Until a week ago, Rick and I had no plans for where we would go. Rick graciously offered for me to plan this vacation. We’ve had several wonderful vacations with family and friends. Selfishly, I wanted time to just be with my husband. Just the two of us. The way our schedules are, we see each other just a few days a week. While we have done this for years, sometimes we need more than this. I need more than this.

What were the requirements for choosing a vacation?

1. Warm weather. There are many places I would like to visit. With no guarantee for 80 degrees weather the end of January, these vacations left for another time.
2. A beach – we have talked about visiting Hawaii several times, we also would like this as longer than a week and/or with friends. On hold.
3. Something more than just the beach – I love the beach. I also like more than the beach. Rick is perfectly content to sit on the beach, all day, every day. It’s not best for my fair skin. Honestly, zip lining or hiking or snorkeling also call my name.
4. Not ridiculously expense.

After googling, the most intriguing result was Belize. I know very little of Belize. I explained to Rick its location in Central American. He received the average temperature of 84 degrees for this time of the year with great enthusiasm. Our hotel is near the beach. A small country, there seems to be an unlimited number of cool things to do: zip lining, Mayan ruins, jungles, snorkeling and other yet-to-be-discovered.

I’ve checked out three tour guides from the library. Honestly, I should have read them before I booked our hotel. Are we in the best location? What about transportation once we arrive? Their money and current exchange? I should really explore these things before leaving on a jet plane.

A few days ago someone asked me, “Where are you going for your Sabbath?” I found this very insightful. We call it “vacation.” But I’m really hoping it will not only be a vacation. It will also be a Sabbath. Quite honestly, the progress of restoring myself has already gotten sidetracked. I’m fallen into those “easy” habits that pull me away from being the best version of myself I can be.

I know one Sabbath/vacation won’t remake my life. What I do every day is far more important. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to just being. With God. With my spouse. With my thoughts. I work a part-time agriculture job. My boss told me to leave my laptop at home. I plan on leaving both of my laptops at home. What is Sabbath if I have those constant distractions quietly hounding me while in their bag?

I know God will show up for my Sabbath. Now, I just need to ensure I do.

Almighty God – even in creation, You provided the model of setting aside time to just be. For some reason, too often we think we can short-circuit this. We’re too busy. We don’t have time. We must take care of all these other things. In the process, we fail to take care of our souls. May we move “taking care of our spiritual souls” to the top of our priority list. And allow time to just be with you this weekend.  Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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