I have the privilege of having several orthodox Jewish friends. Their families observe the Sabbath in a very traditional manner. From sundown Friday thru sundown Saturday, they keep a sacred Sabbath, without work of any kind. I often find myself thinking about my friend Naomi on Friday evenings. I imagine her getting ready for her Shabbat dinner. The house is cleaned. Dinner is prepared. The smell of freshly baked bread fills the house. Her week has been long, much like mine, but the work of her week is done. The Sabbath has come. She will gather her family around the table, light the Shabbat candles, and begin Sabbath. A real, biblical 24-hour-break Sabbath. No housework, no cooking, no laundry for 24 hours. I have to admit, as I imagine it, I am green with envy. But then I wonder why I'm envious. Does the Christian faith not call me to have a Sabbath too? Am I not supposed to set a day aside to rest? I imagine myself as a Jewish mother, lighting the Shabbat candles. I would let the candlelight wash over me and I would exhale. Do you know the exhale I am talking about? That big exhale which would let go of the tension, frustration and unfinished work of my week. In that moment, I would begin to breathe, and after the Sabbath, I would be renewed to start another week.

This Sunday, I am coordinating a bake sale at our church from 7:30 to 12:30. Somewhere in the middle of that I will sneak out and attend one of the services. At 4:00 our bible study is coming over for study and dinner (which means I will spend from about 2:00 to 4:00 cleaning the house and making dinner). I volunteered to do these things. I actually want to do them. But when I think about my "Sabbath" day, I have to say I am a bit sad. Where are my Shabbat candles? Where is my chance to exhale? If I am honest with myself, Naomi's house is probably not perfectly clean, there are dirty clothes in the hamper and her temple's women's ministry needs to do a fundraiser too. Her life is no different than mine she is just making a different choice. I too can choose to stop and accept God's gift of the Sabbath.

As we start the weekend I would like to wish you Shabbat Shalom. May you have a peaceful Sabbath and give yourself a little space and time to exhale and be renewed.

I would love to hear your suggestions and comments on how your family keeps the Sabbath.