Why is Sunday a blur?

I keep hearing about how restful Sunday used to be. How it used to be a day of rest. But it has become a day filled with activity, most often good activity, from breakFAST, to many many hours at church, to a large meal after church, to an afternoon absorbing what someone else feels should be your thoughts for the day (tv, cable, movies, video games, social networking, ad nausium), planning for the coming week, finishing up a few tasks from the week of work, finances, emails, online purchases,. Note: I only said "most"; not all good time consumers. Sunday is so jammed with stuff, for many it is no longer restful.

We watch the clock all day, dreading Sunday night when we head for bed, knowing that as soon as our batter worn head hits the pillow Monday will be here. We head into Monday exhausted, frustrated, guilt ridden, weary, stressed, tense, feeling cheated of our "right to relax".

I am going to suggest a different approach to Sunday. Nothing novel, just different. Actually, really really old fashioned. What if you to disciplined yourself to put aside all work, all electronic devices, all media input, all hustle, prepare Sunday lunch on Saturday night (men, I'm aiming that one at you - crock pot meals are easy and wonderful after church), get to bed in time to be early for church, then just relax and let the day flow?

Please?

Here's how it looks at our house, which, by the way, is usually FILLED with noise and chaos and activity and work the entire balance of the week. It actually sort of starts Saturday morning with Saturday chores. Well, no. It starts Saturday breakfast which Michelle and I make before the kids are awake. During breakfast we stop for a VERY simple Family Devotion time. Then, it's Saturday chores until they are done, and usually a Saturday project (interpreted - work that Dad has dreamed up). The reason I took this detour through our Saturday is because I want to show that we wrap up the week by cleaning the house and rooms and kind of "reset" life from the chaos of the week. This "reset" gets us a little more ready to rest on Sunday.

After Supper on Saturday we have a "no media or electronic devices" policy. So, if you plan on hanging with us on Saturday, please hang your phone or computer outside. Note: we will not be held responsible for any wet devices. ;) Sometime before bed, I put roast stuff in the crock pot for Sunday lunch. This way we (read "Michelle") don't have to jam that in before leaving for church. I have a simple recipe if any guys want to know.

We really try to get to church 10 minutes before we are required in place for anything. Really takes the stress out of getting there. And we actually - usually - arrive with real smiles, mostly. If we're early we even take our time walking to the building.

After enjoying a less stress filled morning at church we head home, greeted by the crock pot dinner that is anxiously waiting to be consumed. Everybody helps set the table, sort of. Several of us have trouble staying focused, but then someone calls my name and I'm back in the game.

After lunch, I wash the dishes... well, at least last week I did. Then each of us is free to enjoy the afternoon. Reading, napping, walking... whatever. Just no electronic input. Not even praise and worship music. It's a day of quiet... lots of quiet. Unless of course a wrestling match explodes on the floor. We even go to bed without any electronic/media input.

I will not speak for my family here, but I have noticed that Sunday night I go to bed much more rested, less stressed, having greatly enjoyed the day of rest - rest from work, noise, electronic/media stimuli, busy-ness, frenetic activity.

My first Sunday doing this I actually was scared not to check my email or facebook. I was afraid something would come through that really needed my immediate attention. Really? I have since realized I'm not that important.

So, if you find Sunday less that peace filled and restful, I challenge you. Yes, it will scare the daylights out of you to NOT check facebook even once. And no fair sneaking into the bathroom with your phone or ipad. You will think you have become a freak. That the rest of the culture is racing into the future without you. But facebook WILL figure out how to function without you for one day. Our first Saturday/Sunday of doing this I was very scared to not check my email, check facebook, work on finances. Weirdest thing? Facebook has not been affected at all by my absence. Well, at least no one has said anything. "Hey Bruce... I noticed ALL day yesterday you didn't comment on a single thing I posted." Yeah right.

Ok, seriously. I now relish Saturday night and Sunday. Not because it's on the weekend, but because I know that my mind will get to take a break from all the normal junk that clutters it.

Just a thot...

2014-04-11

This will be the final post we make here regarding our family ministry. At the encouragement of my lovely best friend, Michelle, I will use this site as a place to, well, blog. Stay tuned. And without further rambling...

Cook's Short Order Update

We are moved!! And almost completely unpacked! A friend of ours from our church is renting a farm house to us. It's 5 bedroom, a great yard with trees, running water and indoor plumbing! We are blessed!

Seriously, it is all of the above and we are enjoying the place. There's the normal "old house" stuff: extra residents and stuff to repair, BUT, it's our new home and we really like it. We will try to get pictures of it soon. Just been way too busy... still recouping after the fire. We have guessed we are in the new "normal" now.

Pray for Bryan. He's back in West Virginia. We miss him. Pray for Nate. He is looking for full time work as his recent job did not work out. Pray Caleb as he wraps up his senior year (many hick ups that God allowed - leaving Camp David, house fire, moving twice). We pray that this time will register in his mind in years to come as a time when he learned a new level of friendship with God. Pray for Kaitie as God continues to develop her as a growing young woman of God. Pray for Seth as he continues to grow as God's man. Pray for Michelle as she seeks to reorganize the home and schooling with little time left this school year. Pray for her also as she seeks to get her business, Simply Homespun In Missouri back up after the fire. Pray for Bruce as he seeks to be a godly leader for the family and an asset at work.

We have a friend who senses God is leading them into full time ministry using their skills - medical and criminal justice. Please, if you know of any needs get in touch with Rick and Melinda Rathbun at melindarathbun@gmail.com.

And a final note; could we ask a favor? If you have pictures of us pre-2005, we would be grateful for copies, digital or otherwise. We are slowly trying to collect thousands of prints we lost in the fire.

Gratefully serving with you,
Bruce, Michelle, Bryan, Nate, Caleb, Kaitie, and Seth