Okay, I don't actually have seven thoughts, but rather thoughts about our experiement based on the book "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess". We have completed two weeks (you can read the terms here), so now is a good time for an update.
The thing I am the most disappointed and frustrated by is the Sabbath. At about the same time we started our experiment, Ray started working seven days a week. His boost in hours is welcome and greatly needed, but it makes finding a day to rest and worship together very difficult. We did have one day that I felt loosely qualified. The basic elements were there: a nice meal, all of us together, a restful, unorganized time of play, and time spent in prayer. Even if it was a short time, it was extremely rejuvenating.
I believe the Sabbath is a gift God gives us because he knows how our minds and bodies work. He knows that we need this time of rest and connection. I'm not trying to be legalistic about this, but I do think there are some things that make a day the Sabbath. My prayer is that God will graciously show us what those are and how to honor them.
Limiting our screen time has not been nearly as difficult as I thought it would be, and I think maybe we did not give up enough. I still let Brooklyn and Grayson watch cartoons in the morning and afternoon when he's nearly at that meltdown point, so I'm going to focus this week on cutting back even more in that department. Though I will say, Brooklyn is starting to grasp the concept of screen time and the idea that it needs to be limited. Maybe a chart to track our time spent would help us see how much we use it and then cut back from there. Today I feel a very strong pull to sit down and watch a show. I'm still technically recovering from major abdominal surgery (a fact my body strongly reminded me of last night after an especially busy day!) so I am doing my best to take it easy. But I am sticking to my rules and finding other ways to occupy my time without overdoing it physically.
Overall I feel like God is showing me that there really is an abundant life for us. We don't have to be slaves to the rat race, to media, or to our own lazy, indulgent desires! He gives us these gifts of productivity and rest, and when we live within their balance, life really can be sweet.
The thing I am the most disappointed and frustrated by is the Sabbath. At about the same time we started our experiment, Ray started working seven days a week. His boost in hours is welcome and greatly needed, but it makes finding a day to rest and worship together very difficult. We did have one day that I felt loosely qualified. The basic elements were there: a nice meal, all of us together, a restful, unorganized time of play, and time spent in prayer. Even if it was a short time, it was extremely rejuvenating.
I believe the Sabbath is a gift God gives us because he knows how our minds and bodies work. He knows that we need this time of rest and connection. I'm not trying to be legalistic about this, but I do think there are some things that make a day the Sabbath. My prayer is that God will graciously show us what those are and how to honor them.
Limiting our screen time has not been nearly as difficult as I thought it would be, and I think maybe we did not give up enough. I still let Brooklyn and Grayson watch cartoons in the morning and afternoon when he's nearly at that meltdown point, so I'm going to focus this week on cutting back even more in that department. Though I will say, Brooklyn is starting to grasp the concept of screen time and the idea that it needs to be limited. Maybe a chart to track our time spent would help us see how much we use it and then cut back from there. Today I feel a very strong pull to sit down and watch a show. I'm still technically recovering from major abdominal surgery (a fact my body strongly reminded me of last night after an especially busy day!) so I am doing my best to take it easy. But I am sticking to my rules and finding other ways to occupy my time without overdoing it physically.
Overall I feel like God is showing me that there really is an abundant life for us. We don't have to be slaves to the rat race, to media, or to our own lazy, indulgent desires! He gives us these gifts of productivity and rest, and when we live within their balance, life really can be sweet.
Wow Jamie. Very inspiring! You ate such a good wife and mom.
ReplyDeleteJordan