Out Our Way: Tov Shabbat

Out our way, one learns to take the time to do it right — and sometimes that means slowing down and tsking a rest. Charlie and I, if we were riding in rough country on a hot day, knew that now and then we needed to give Doc and Jet a rest if we expected them to make it through the rest of the day.

We didn’t mind having some time off as well, although the horses really did all the work.

For Charlie and me, pushing cows was not a daily thing — maybe only once or twice a month except when things got really busy. Same was true of our mounts. Truth be known, we were all a bit out of shape. And that is all the more reason Charlie would regularly call for a halt as the horses, cattle and Charlie and me took a breather. In the end we all benefited from it and arrived at our destination in better shape than if we had pushed through and never stopped for a rest.

Seems God has the same idea, for one of the commandments is that we “keep the Sabbath.” It is something I fear many of us, and especially us clergy, don’t do well. Many of us moderns work six days a week at various jobs and then use Sunday, the Christian Sabbath, as a day for those extra chores. Even if we take time off we are often “working” at having fun instead of actually relaxing.

And it shows.

It has only been recently that I have learned to take the Sabbath day seriously. We are commanded to keep it “holy,” and that goes far deeper than going to church. The Hebrew word also means “set it apart.” It should not be just another day — but one set apart for the refreshment and healing of our souls and our lives.

Folks who never take to time to be holy — to set it apart as a time to reflect on God, life, joy and sorrow — never really live. They merely exist. And like horses, cattle and cowboys who just push without a break, they wear out and wear down.

This Sunday, I sought to really observe the Sabbath with relaxation and some good spiritual reading. I found I was exhausted from the week but was just trying to “push” through. No wonder I am ill of late!

So I really made a point of observing the Sabbath day — and I found as I did I began to find my energy slowly returning and refilling the empty well of my being.

So with that in mind I send you the traditional Jewish blessing for the day: “Tov Shabbat!” A good Sabbath to you!

Brother John Bruington