Rhythm

I've learned to appreciate the rhythms and limitations of life.

We, as modern sophisticated human beings, are just too sneaky and intelligent.  We seem to be doing everything possible to redirect, stretch and manipulate these rhythms and limitations so that we can finally reach our state of "satisfaction."

We work ourselves to the bone, fill ourselves to the brim with information (most of which flows from a system that perpetuates a perspective of "I'm never satisfied").  Rarely do we truly ponder, chew and digest ideas, while often we find ourselves with minds and stomachs crammed of chunks of meat hardly separated from the grizzle and bone.   And we wonder why we're never at peace, satisfied or content.

Ask my mom, my family, any close friends, better yet ask my wife, "Does Tracey actually taste what he vacuums through his mouth?"  "Nope, he doesn't give his poor taste buds a fighting chance."  But I do and it's delicious especially with some hot sauce on it...

...actually I should slow my meals down... a bit.

But the speed of my jaw isn't the big issue here although an area that I should think about.

I'm talking about time, rest, renewing and recreation.

I heard in a sermon once that recreation is two simple ideas; new, creation.  For my younger rugrat years this was a time in which the textbooks, pencils and work were put to the side and something different was pursued, or better yet something new was created.  Running around like a mad man on a playground.  In my too cool for school high school years this creation of newness was conversations, flirting, social interaction, etc.  In college it was educated pondering, reflection and debate because we're smarter of course! Ok, ok, yeah, it was basically just lofty conversations, flirting and social interaction.

The point:  I think there's a reason that a Creator would provide, develop or give his creation something.  It's quite probable that the Creator would know better than any other Joe Blow what they truly are in need of.   I see this so strongly in Sabbath and I've...we've really felt the goodness of this.

Christine and I have made a mess of some things, but Sabbath is one of our patterns of marriage that makes me proud.  We can both literally feel the excited anticipation of Sabbath, the lowered heart rate and kindled mind through out the day, and come Monday we're charged and ready to go.

It's almost like the rhythm of

                                            WORK
                                            WORK
                                            WORK
                                            WORK
                                            WORK
                                            WORK
+ BOOKS, BOARD GAMES & SUN
              PEACE & SATISFACTION

I've even found this to be true within our work days.  Even the secular world would agree, check out this article I stumbled across.

So why people, why, do we fight the rhythms and limitations of life?  We should bust our tails when we work and yet swan dive like flippin' Pocahontas into the reserved rhythmic periods of rest.

Oh and one more thing, we did this in the States, brought it here and we hope to continue as our numbers grow to 3 (sorry Osita, 4).   Put it this way, I see just as many pastors, missionaries and churchy folk running around like crazy people as the business world... you tell me what that means.

May your life be filled with strenuous work, purposeful rest and intense REcreation.