It's time to have my feet up again and take time for rest! Time to stop the glorification of busy!

Dear Family of Love,

It's time to have my feet up again and take time for rest! I don't like having to have down time. But if that is what I need to do, I'll do it. We all need to stop the glorification of busy for the sake of our bodies, minds, and spirits! Remember Jesus did this a lot. So dear family starting tonight if possible for the next few days it is time to dial it down, rest, take time for self-care, and on Sunday I invite you to take time for Sabbath Care. I know Sundays for most of us are a time of extraordinary busyness and you don't even have to be a clergy or lay leader in a faith community  to fall into this trap.  Here is a list of activities, or tasks that I'm suggesting we lay down for this weekend if we can.

Things to place in our Worry/Sabbath box ! Not to be opened until Monday Evening!

Worries
Expectations
Big conversations that will make everyone feel bad and overly stressed for You Matter Monday
Things that are plaguing your mind.
Write down your fears too.

Self-Care Saturday tips!
Walking in nature
Do creative things 
Breathing in Sea or Forrest Air
Go to the beach, mountains, or find a good hiking trail.
Spa visits (mineral springs)
Labyrinth waking 
Be a tourist in your own backyard.
Walking the Stations of the Cross if you live near a California Mission
Easy meal prep.
Go see a play, concert, or any other event that you choose.
Make and take the time to connect and reconnect with all of our family members who might be victims of falling through the cracks.
If you have a green thumb garden or arrange flowers!
Take time to meditate.
Whatever makes your body, mind, and spirit sing!

Sabbath -Care tips!
This day is dedicated to God! God only asks of us for one day a week!
Serve the least of these and make sure that when you are in your place of worship that you look for the lonely, lost, and those who are single and wallflower types. No one gets to fall through the cracks.
This is not the day to do household chores, homework, and the like!
Visit your place of worship.
Take time for prayer, meditation, and anything else that makes the Sabbath Day Holy.
See if you can be of help to your clergy or lay leaders at church.
Take time for family, friends, and neighbors
Read spiritual books, 
Walk in God's Cathedral of life.
Have brunch with your family.

These lists are endless. Tonight let's take a night to reconnect with  all that is holy. It is time to sanctify space and time and make these almost three days holy, life giving, and sustaining. Give your bodies, minds, and spirits over to God and rest.

Let's begin with this phrase: 

Now let us  begin relaxing our bodies by unwinding, breathing, doing some relaxation exercises that will make you feel de-stressed.

After this let us listen to this Ravi Shankar Chants of India  or this Relaxation: Relaxing Nature Sounds and Tibetan Chakra Meditation Music for Relaxation Meditation

As we listen we begin to prepare to pray and give thanks for the days leading up to our weekend of  rest, relaxation, and renewal.

Come Holy Spirit, calm our hearts, minds, and physical selves that  we may feel your  enlivening and empowering presence. 

Gracious Spirit, we pray for peace in this troubled and broken world of ours  and in ourselves.

Gracious Spirit, as we approach God's day of Sabbath may we prepare ourselves in heart and mind to meet Jesus in the breaking of the bread, the cup of salvation, and by drinking from the well of the Water of life that never runs dry. 

Gracious Spirit, help us to give ourselves permission to take rest, do self-care, and honor God by entering into that weekly Sabbath Rest.

Gracious Spirit, give us courage to serve the least of these and become their loving and compassionate brothers and sisters.

Gracious Spirit, heal all those who are ill in body, mind, and spirit.

Gracious Spirit, we pray for the protection of those who travel .

Gracious Spirit, may we ever seek to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

Gracious Spirit, encircle all those who are dying and who have died.  Enfold you loving arms around the departed and give loving comfort to those who mourn. May we lovingly enfold them as well.

Gracious Spirit, as the night has fallen and we shall soon be at rest we pray with special intention for ourselves and especially our family members who have asked us to pray for their concerns especially___________________

We add any other prayers, celebrations, remembrances, and thanksgivings here. We pray these prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.


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Good Night Dear Family of Love. I love you! May you rest secure in the knowledge that you are loved, accepted, matter, and are precious to God and to me. I give thanks to God for you this day and always.


Love,peace, Joy, and blessing to the brim and overflowing!

Sara

Taize mix