Sunday Funday

It’s Sunday on the farm and I’ve allowed myself to sink into a rocking chair on the back porch and watch Sheep T.V. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. The tiniest wren I’ve ever seen has built a nest inside the lantern hanging over my head and tendrils of Valais wool peek out from between the twigs. Taking this time-out feels like a luxury I can’t afford, but I’m doing my best to emulate our sweet lambs, Mel and Tilly, who are resting in the spring grass without a care in the world. To them, every day is Sunday Funday.

Here on the farm, we often talk about workloads as trying to fit ten pound of manure in a five-pound sack. No matter where you live, chances are there's not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Monday’s tasks overflow to Tuesday, to Wednesday, and so on. Eventually, we get to Sunday and we all know what that means. Whoa, Nelly.

It can be a herculean act of obedience to rest. After all, these chickens aren’t gonna feed themselves, nor will the muck bucket wheel itself to the pit. I think the Lord understands some things just need doing; especially things that honor the Lord’s call to care for the people – and animals – we love. I mean, God continues to care for us on the seventh day too, doesn’t he? And so, outside of caring for my tribe, I allow myself to rest — mostly out of obedience, but also because lately, the world is too much with me and a good night’s sleep is hard to come by. Our biblical, overwrought, good friend Job knows exactly what I mean and maybe you do too:

If in bed, I say “When shall I arise?”

then the night drags on;

I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.

~Job: 7:4

Who hasn’t suffered a sleepless night – or many – because of a personal problem, an upsetting situation, or a parade of ruminations, recriminations, grief, longing, or lingering regrets? We watch the clock and flop around like a fish and complain we “can’t sleep.” But perhaps the truth is that we refuse to yield to the very thing that would bring us peace: the sovereignty of Christ.

Cute signs hang in gift shops and advise, give it to God and go to sleep.  Catchy, but it implies a sticky-sweet surrender and conjures thoughts of snuggling my head in the pillow with a blissful sigh. Who goes gently into a good night when they’re feeling sad, salty, or totally out of sorts? Conversely, I have an audacious friend who doesn’t mince words and says: Jesus, you take care of it – you’re up anyway!  Either way, we have a say in whether we toss all night or turn to God.  

Can’t sleep or won’t sleep? Can’t rest or won’t rest? 

The choice is ours.

Pardon me while I grab a glass of sweet tea, a Bible, and maybe a tissue or two. The Lord is waiting for me. Is he waiting for you too?

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

~ Matthew 11:28