A Sabbath

"Help me, Father. This pace is more than I can keep up with. Every week's schedule is building momentum; I barely finish with one activity or meeting and it's already time to rush into the next. How do those around me, here on the base, and those on our team, carve out even 15 minutes in their day for you, Lord? I certainly haven't been doing a very good job of it lately. Help me, Lord. Help me order my days and my hours (and my commitments) aright.

I feel I've lost all sense of margin. There is no white space left on my page. Show me, Lord, help me see what's important to You. Help me recognize what's of You in the opportunities that abound. I'm feeling crushed by the pace, exhausted by the spoken and unspoken expectations. Father, I need to hear from You!"

As I retired to bed early last night and pondered the pressure I'm feeling because of the pace, the Lord reminded me, asked me, really: "So, when will you take a Sabbath?" I know it's up to me to guard (and keep) a Sabbath--no one else will do it for me. I decided that in the morning I would tell Arthur that I needed to take today as a Sabbath.

We had been asked a couple weeks ago to lead intercession for the IPHC (Introduction to Primary Health Care) school from 8:00 - 8:45 am, then I was scheduled at 9:00 for blood work in Sommers to get my Cholesterol checked. So now all that is done, Arthur has gone to the office and I will stay home, resting, observing Sabbath, and spending time with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

"I look to You, Lord. I worship You. I find help and strength, comfort and peace in Your presence. Speak to me, that I may know Your perspective on how to use my time and energy according to Your will and calling on my life -- and not according to all the needs and opportunities I see around me. Thank you, Father!"