I didn’t write a Sunday post ahead of time like I had hoped I would be able to so now you are getting a Sunday question post typed on my iPhone (and likely filled with spelling mistakes) while I walk the streets of DC.
I haven’t talked much about how TH and I approach the 3rd of the 10 commandments (that is the one about keeping the Sabbath day holy, right?) but I think by most standards we are rather strict about what we do on Sunday. 3 hours of church every week, no radio or TV unless it is church content (I really need to work on my Internet consumption on the Sabbath but we all have things to improve upon, right?), and no working (if at all possible) or doing anything that makes anyone else work (which also means no shopping or eating out of any kind).
When I am in a foreign place like this I obviously can’t hold on to these rules exactly. I have to eat. I have to sleep somewhere which creates the need for staff. Sometimes it can be really difficult to go to church (although I did go today). I still haven’t worked out how to deal with these issues in the best way, but I have strived to mantain the Spirit of the Sabbath as much as possible troughout the day and will continue to do so tonight.
If you are a believer in the commandments how do you keep the Sabbath, whether at home or while traveling?
August 30th, 2009 on 7:21 pm
I admire your dedication to the “day of rest”. Do you work at all, like if a couple has a Sunday wedding? Do you and TH do any other non-church activities such as outdoor walks/hikes??
Reply
August 30th, 2009 on 11:03 pm
Because my husband is a pastor, Sundays aren’t really a “day of rest” for us since technically, he’s working. However, we have chosen to observe Sabbath on Mondays, and we do it a lot like you and your husband: we use it as a day to rest, connect with each other, and we strive to eliminate television, internet, and the casual usage of our telephones. We also tend to stay home on Mondays and just be with ourselves.
It was a little odd getting used to the idea of Sundays as workdays, but when your job is in church ministry (as is my husband), that’s really technically what they are.
Reply
August 31st, 2009 on 12:16 am
I am on the same page here. Still struggling with it. During vacation it’s often easy to keep the Sabbath. I enjoy visiting other churches and just go for walks after church and lunch, so lots of peace and rest. When it comes to traveling for business, it usually means I am working on Sundays. And there is no day I can take off instead cause it’ll be work work work. But now that I am home and have been for 2 weeks now, I am really watching it, and the “funny” part is, I know it is so good, so it’s not been hard yet. It’s been quite enjoyable. On the other hand, I worked so much this week that I was exhausted this past Sunday, not really able to enjoy the Sunday’s peace for all I could do was sleep. I wish it wasn’t like that, wish I would have enjoyed nature. So let’s continue to talk about this, for it’s an ongoing issue.
Reply
August 31st, 2009 on 9:42 am
I would looooove to have a Sunday like that. Unfortunately, there is too much cleaning and getting ready for the work week and studying to be done that I would be much too stressed and anxious if I put it off for during the week. I need every second of every day it seems! I really admire the principle of the idea and am quite jealous of you for being able to do so! The idea of a day of no-work sounds like it would be rejuvinating and refreshing.
Reply
August 31st, 2009 on 9:59 am
Haha, I remember the day after YOUR wedding I managed to catch the first hour at a random church on the way to the airport. Thank goodness for my gps! Cory and I were just talking yesterday about Sunday activities and we’re not going to watch any TV and try to do go to the park and read the scriptures and things.
As far as when I’m traveling, I have the general conference talks on my ipod and other Sabbath music (whether classical music or the BYU choirs etc) that I listen to on airplanes.
I don’t work on Sundays at all, which includes turning down ALL Sunday weddings, which is REALLY painful sometimes (though not hard in that I have to think about it because I’ve already made my decision). I’ve gotten tons of Sundays wedding inquiries in the last few months, but I’m just counting on the blessings I’ll get for not taking them
. I know Nate and Jac (The Image is Found) decided to stop taking Sunday weddings. I was with them last year before their last Sunday wedding and they were so excited to do no more.
Reply
September 1st, 2009 on 12:36 pm
I think that any couple would benefit from a day of rest whether they are religious or not. We are all often too consumed with tv, movies, phone, computer, friends to really focus on ourselves and our family… and for some, the church.
Reply
September 1st, 2009 on 4:07 pm
We make a concerted effort to make it to at least a sacrament meeting and we also buy food ahead of time so we dont’ have to go out to eat on Sunday. It’s a nice system, I think.
Reply
October 1st, 2009 on 9:43 am
Ummmm, that would be the 4th Commandment. Unless Mormons do it differently. Do they?
Reply
Jenna Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
This was written on my phone, and the commandment guessed from memory. I thought the neumonic was three-key-put the key in the hole-keep the sabbath day holy but I guess I need to do some reviewing!
Reply