Gratitude Day 477

Sat., June 19, 2020

Hebrews 4:9 – So you see that a sabbath rest is left open for God’s people.

As we begin the weekend, just a few thoughts from my desk this morning.

Hubby Rick is on a four-week Sabbatical!! For the last 20 years, Rick has worked for a Wisconsin-based company called Kwik Trip. They have a company policy when an employee has worked for the company for 20 years, the employee is eligible for a four-week Sabbatical. Rick’s 20^th anniversary was May 20^th. He had been debating when to take his Sabbatical for a while. Recently, he decided to take it mid-June through mid-July. So, last Sunday was the official beginning of his Sabbatical.

This is very generous of his company to do this. Management sees a time for renewal as important. So far, Rick has been very committed to helping his son with a basement remodeling job and has put in lots of time with this project.

Originally, we had anticipated spending some of Rick’s Sabbatical in Italy. Obviously, this will not be happening right now. Someday, we will get to Italy. Just not right now.

He hopes to get in some fishing, kayaking, biking, etc. I look forward to a few day trips with Rick.

Have you watched the Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man videos? If not, please take the time. Ex-NFL player Emmanuel Acho released an initial video in early June. He sits down to have an “uncomfortable conversation” with white American and shares his views on racism, system racism, social injustice, rioting and the hurt blacks are feeling today. Here’s a link to the original video:

The next video included a conversation with Matthew McConaughey, a very thoughtful conversation. Here’s the link for this video:

Just this week, the third video included Emmanuel having a conversation with Chip and Joanna Gaines and their five children. There are times when the conversation is a bit uncomfortable, which makes the videos even more real. Check out this conversation here:

Here is a person who is trying to help those of us who do not fully understand racism today. Here’s an opportunity for us to discover more.

Looking for a novel to read this summer? Here’s one that is set in 1932 and the Great Depression.

This Tender Land, written by William Kent Krueger, is set in Minnesota. It tells the story of two orphaned brothers who end up at a Native American teaching school. With two other orphans, they travel the Mississippi looking for a place to call their own. I listened to this on books on tape and enjoyed the story.

Missing baseball this summer? Hop on Facebook and watch worship this Sunday with Midland UMC at 9:30 AM. I’m filling in for Pastor John whose wife, Julie, had some health issues this week. Full disclosure: it was taped Friday night. On my porch. You will hear some background noise because, well, we didn’t do a studio taping but used what we had! My friend Mindy joined in with some music. There’s nothing fancy about this worship service. Amateur might be a good description. BUT it might give your baseball craving a little fulfillment! I’ll share the video on my personal Facebook page as well on Sunday. Here’s Midland’s page: https://www.facebook.com/midland.umc

Let’s make room for Sabbath this summer. I know it feels like almost everything has been cancelled this summer. BUT Summer 2020 HAS NOT been cancelled. Just as Rick is on his Sabbatical for the next few weeks, we have this wonderful opportunity find Sabbath in our lives. See those open boxes on your calendar? Keep some of them open and write the word “Sabbath” in them. Then, promise and commit to yourself to make room for Sabbath. What does Sabbath look like? It’s doing the things (or not doing the things) that will refresh your heart and soul. Bring some peace back into your life. Fill up your empty gas tank and prepare you for the next season of your life.

I am aware that some of the things that have been canceled maybe those things that fill you. So, be creative. Find other ways to fill your heart and soul this summer. I’m really trying to be thoughtful about this right now. I pray that you will be as well. We can make Summer 2020 a fantastic summer … if we CHOOSE to!

Have a great weekend. Celebrate Father’s Day with the special guys in your life. Enjoy finding Sabbath time this summer.

For many different things that feed my heart and soul, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Holy God – Encourage me today, this weekend, this summer to NOT FILL every waking moment with activity. Busyness. Yes, we may be disappointed that some things aren’t happening this summer. I pray that we see this as a wonderful season to fill our hearts and souls with Sabbath. Rest. Renewal. In You. Amen.

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