I was recently reading a blog post from Mary Ann McKibben Dana (Presbyterian minister, author, and mom of three) and this quote from her caused me to consider some questions. She says "I've preached on the story of the Hebrew people as slaves in Egypt and how Pharaoh heaped more and more work on them. I said, 'Sabbath isn't about being well rested so you can go back to Pharaoh's job site. Sabbath is about realizing that you don't want to make those bricks anymore."

So when you take time for Sabbath it's not just about the rest and renewal that you experience, but rather the perspective that you gain from giving your brain and body a break or diving into things that re-energize you. Given Mary Ann's perspective, how would you re-evaluate your "work" and your "Sabbath"? What are the things in your work load that could be done differently or taken off of your plate? How can you spend time in Sabbath so that you gain perspective on how you spend the hours and days in your week? What are you being called to do with each day?

She went on to share a quote from Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs", "The happiest people I've met over the last few years have not followed their passion at all-they have instead brought it with them." So wherever you are in work life and family life, bring your passion and joy for life with you. These thoughts can be helpful and frustrating when you try to apply them to the day to day. What if you're trying to set goals for your future and they aren't coming together? What if you feel called to something, but you're not finding a place to do that?

These words in Isaiah can bring some comfort on the journey,

"But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end- 

Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!  That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." (Isaiah 43:1-4, The Message)

Prayer for Today

Comforting and Sustaining God, Be with us on this journey. Open our minds and hearts to our calling in each day. In Christ's Name, Amen.