Good advice. Relax A LOT! It is Sunday, the Day of Rest.
"Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." -Chinese proverb, quoted in Feb10 Reader's Digest.
Do something today that is just for you. It isn't being selfish. It is rejuvenating, so you can help others later. No guilt.
The one thing I do for me: nap. Luxuriously. With ear plugs and a microwaved warm rice bag for my back (thanks Emma) and my feet (my old lime green one).
(Saturday picture-to show Emma the headboard)I look forward to my Sunday after-Church-and-lunch naps.
How Sunday is different from other days in our home:
1. Two meals as a family-lunch, dinner. Rarely breakfast, and sometimes it is hot and not boxed! (Early childhood skill is learning how to open a new box of cereal and eating it dry until they can pour the milk by themselves. I used to put a smaller pitcher of milk in the fridge, so they could reach that solo, and spill less in their quest for independence.)
2. No TV in our house (this is funny. We have no cable for money-saving reasons, but we do download shows and watch on the computers, but not on Sundays, as a personal family rule. It is not a Mormon commandment, just what we have decided).
3. Three-plus hours at Church. John leaves earlier for leadership meetings.
4. Family Home Evening in addition to our usual family devotional-scripture reading and singing and praying, so we get a lesson in, a game, treats, family council correlating, calendaring, etc.
5. Kids interact more, gaming, talking, playing with each other. No friends over--it is a family day. We are resting from our social peers.
6. No shopping. Yes gas, if we are travelling to family events, but we try and plan so that doesn't have to happen (full tank the night before, treats in car, etc.)
7. No sewing/painting for me. Personal commitment. A way for me to make Sunday unique and reserved.
We still cook, and make messes, and do dishes. Spend time with extended family. Email/blog/skype more with far-away family. It is nice having grandparents and cousins two blocks away, but we still have to make appointments to gather.
What do you do for your day of rest?
Do you do it for religious reasons, or other?
6 comments:
Hi! Thanks for saying hello over at my blog.
Our Sundays are church, leadership meetings, and simple meals. We often play a game of Scrabble Sunday night, and I love Skyping with our g-kids and kids!
So far, not a day of rest. But as soon as I make dinner (mid-afternoon) then I am taking that nap. Strangely, I like to take mine on the couch in the middle of what everyone else is doing. I like sleeping while everyone else is busy... maybe it makes me feel vindicated for the rest of the time when I am working, and they all seem to be rather lazy:). Last year we had 1-4 church, and we just switched to 9-12. I love love love having the whole day.
Cute headboard!
There is almost always another meeting, though. A baptism, a correlation, a semi-annual Stake meeting, a fireside, PEC. I am glad for the time we have to be together. Fun making pasta with shrimp and white sauce with Stewart today.
Afternoon church meetings seem to make for a short Sunday. It is hard to use the morning time as family time instead of personal time. And I don't get sleepy until it's time for Sunday School.
Your personal choices and commitments make the Sabbath "A day of delight". Your children will follow you. Love, Dad
Post a Comment