A Sabbath Week
I’ve never taken a sabbatical. I thought only professors and writers could do things like that, but here I am. This week I took my very own sabbatical, and it has been a wonderful experience. When my boss initially okayed the time off, my mind instantly wandered to far off places- “where could I go, and what could I do with a whole WEEK!?!” I asked myself. (Please click here for more about my wandering disposition). But I felt something inside tugging at me to just stay home. Just stay there, and don’t leave. Don’t make plans, don’t make promises. Just stick around, and see how your week plays out. So I did, and it has been such a refreshing time.
I have had the time to read, to pray, to journal, to meet with friends and talk about things that matter, and simply time to breathe. In this culture, it amazes me the pace at which we all travel. It truly is breakneck speed, and I felt myself preparing to crash. So I did something that took alot of courage, and made me very nervous. I said “I need some time off.” That is not always regarded positively in this society- are you lazy? Can’t you handle things? What’s really going on with you? But a sabbath (where the word sabbatical comes from) was something commanded by God in the Old Testament. He understood that for humans to truly be their best, and fulfill their purpose, they needed a break. Even He rested on the seventh day of creation!
Just taking this time has brought such clarity and a renewed sense of perspective to things in my life- from my job, to my marriage, to my spiritual walk, and my relationships. I am always so busy “working for the Lord”, that I don’t spend enough time stopping to listen to Him. It’s a typical problem, I know, but it can suck the life out of a person. We can’t give away what we don’t have. So if you are out there, and you feel the weight and stress of life pushing down on you, I would encourage a sabbath. It doesn’t have to be an entire week- one day spent in purposeful quiet and rest can do so much.
…”what does the Torah teach us when it says that ‘God rested’? Is He human that He tires and needs physical rest? It is to teach us that just as God stopped creating physical things on the seventh day, so is man to stop creating on this day. Man is to stop making things, to stop manipulating nature…by desisting from all such labors, we not only acknowledge the existence of a Creator, but also emulate the Divine example.”
H.H. Donin, “To Be a Jew” (p.65)
So well deserved! I am so glad you have had a great week!
I HATE asking for time off.
But I do when I need it – because I’d be insanely, insanely burnt out otherwise.
(I’m working up the courage as we speak to ask off two days in a few weeks…)
thanks Bob for that insight– makes me feel even better about taking the time off!
Steph- thanks so much, and thank you for your support during this crazy time- it means alot girl.
Ash– You can do it! It’s always worth it when they say yes.