Working on the sabbath

I'm working on taking Sundays off and resting- reading novels, visiting with friends, sitting on the couch- that kind of stuff.

Just how hard I'm working at not working is laughable.

"Is it more restful to leave the wet clothes in the washing machine 'til Monday when I'll have to redo them or start down the slippery slope of laundry?"

"Does making my family's favorite breakfast count as resting?"

"If my friend stops by and chats with me while harvesting vegetables from my garden, can I blanch and freeze them quick or does that negate my rest?"

These all seem silly when I write them down but they are true just in the last 4 weeks since I started trying to take Sundays 'off.'

I grew up being told that I must eat my dinner before having dessert and finish my homework before playing and pick up my room before watching tv.  All good and reasonable advice until the work never finishes and I never sit on my couches.  Or when I do, I feel guilty.  I have never had to grapple so up close and personal with the challenges of choosing to rest.  

My thoughts turn to the writings of the people I'm most familiar with who've grappled with these questions: the Israelites and the Ten Commandments.

¹² “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. ¹³ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁴ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.  --Deuteronomy 5

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  --Exodus 20

 
I used to think about obeying the Ten Commandments.
Now I am being inspired and challenged by them to live as a free woman and an imitator of God.

Slaves are compelled to work and don't get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They work until they collapse.

Free beings like God work hard and well and then celebrate and enjoy their creation.

I've got a long way to go until ease and peace and celebration in the midst of my labors becomes a habit.  But I'm taking steps.  Good books.  Time with friends.  Simple meals.  Sitting on the couch.  Popping popcorn and watching movies.  Blogging to remember. 

I'm leaning into the blessing of a sabbath.