Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The Sabbath Party

It's funny how some of the things I want to teach my kids are things I need to practice more myself. Recently, I became much more aware of how much I use Sundays as a day of catching up...on laundry, cleaning, to-do list tasks, etc.  Jeremy is home, so I often find myself letting him watch the kiddos while I busy myself throughout the day with projects.

Awhile back, we had decided to stay home for the most part of Sundays.  But, it wasn't until I took a closer look that I realized even if I was home, I really wasn't resting at all.

I want my kids to know that Sunday is a day of rest in our home.  And, in order to do that, I need to be an example of that.

I had a close friend in high school (he's still my friend) who was a Seventh Day Adventist.  And, while I still don't know everything that he believes, the one thing that has always stuck with me was his commitment to keep holy the sabbath.  Now, his sabbath started at dusk on Friday, and it ended at dusk on Saturday.  During that time period he did very little.  He didn't work.  He didn't go to social events.  He went to church, and he spent time with his family.  There was little deviation from that, and to me it always seemed so sacred.

I long for that now.  So, slowly we are getting there.  I'm trying to use Saturday as a catch-up day if I need to.  We don't participate in events on Sunday (for the most part) unless they are family events. We play with the kiddos.  We read books.  We rest.  We still go to Mass on Saturday evenings for the most part, but it seems as if our Sabbath starts from that point forward.  And, really, in the few weeks I've been making more of an effort to rest, it has been so nice.

Well, this sabbath was extra special.  During naps, Carter was hard at work (little did I know).  He was setting up a stage and podium for "the big party."  When naps were over, he asked me if I could gather some special treats (M&Ms) for a party he was hosting right after dinner.  I didn't get any details up front.

So, after dinner was done and pjs were on (the girls were already in bed), we all filed into the boys' room for this...the sabbath party.

Carter was the emcee.  This is how it began..."Good evening, ladies and gentlemen (we were then instructed to say 'Good evening, Carter") before we begin, I would like to thank you all for your support."  I was trying so hard not to laugh.

He then continued with the schedule of events: Carter's reading, Dad's reading, Peter's reading, John Paul's reading and Mom's reading to wrap things up.

Before he began reading, he let everyone know where they were by writing our address backwards.

Then, he opened the fifth book of the Chronicles of Narnia, and the show began.


Dad's turn...
From our perch on the top bunk...

Peter had a very entertaining turn at the podium.

First, the stage fell down.

Then began the story of the scary monster...



John Paul followed it up with his story of the naughty cowboy.


I wrapped the reading up, and Carter concluded the evening with an announcement that a big dance party was to follow.  Three songs (and lots of laughs) later, the party ended but only with the promise that it would resume on the following sabbath.


I think we just might have found our rest :)



No comments :

Post a Comment