Sabbath on Monday

Hello Friends,

We're following our own schedule this week, and letting Sabbath fall on Monday.  We knocked ourselves out in the yard yesterday weeding, planting, and mulching, so are taking a break today.  Time has become an odd commodity in these days of pandemic.  I wake up and have to think what day it is and what I had planned to do.  The usual rhythm of the week is set by outside commitments that are suspended.  And we can tune in to online church any time.

What does Sabbath mean in today's world?  For us, in normal times, it begins with worship.  Then, for me, Sunday afternoon is time to gather and ride with friends unless the weather interferes.  That's where the name of this blog originated:  the Episcopal cowgirl attends church, then goes out in the woods on a horse.  I can't count the times those 2 passions have fueled each other.  Singing, hearing scripture and a sermon, and sharing Eucharist primes me to be aware of the holy presence all around us.  Then I go out on big Flash, and although I'm with friends, there are profound moments of solitude where the veil between worlds is lifted for a moment.  I usually ride along singing a hymn from the service, then look up to see the sun shining through the trees or hear water falling over the rocks and am simply transported to a different, luminous reality.  I'm tired after the day's activities, but satiated with feelings of abundance and providence.  What more could a sabbath offer?

How are you managing your time during quarantine? Are you struggling, as I am, to set aside time to be productive, time to rest, time to grow your knowledge, time for self-care?  I read an article yesterday about how hard this is for people with OCD - what is normal, healthy cleaning in the time of a virulent threat and what goes over the line into pathology? My problem is more along the lines of how lazy can I be about cleaning and still be healthy and safe?  We are probably unique in our struggle, but I suspect we each face challenges.  

I'm very curious how I will experience time, one of our greatest gifts from the creator, once we pass through this scare.  I have learned some things during isolation.  I plan to continue to limit my time spent (wasted?) in stores and in activities that don't feed me.  What will I go back to when sanctions are lifted and what will I find is no longer worth my precious time?  Do you have these thoughts and dilemmas?  May the Spirit that feeds our souls guide us into this uncertain future full of possibility.