conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

sabbath part two and friendly visits

Sabbath can only begin if we close the factory, turn out the lights, turn off the computer, and withdraw from the concerns of the marketplace. Choose at least one heavily used appliance or device - the telephone, television, computer, washer and dryer - and let them rest for a Sabbath period. Whether it is a morning, afternoon, or an entire day, surrender to a quality of time when you will not be disturbed, seduced, or responsive to what technologies have to offer. Notice how you respond to its absense.

Sabbath by Wayne Muller, p. 27

All things being equal (sleep deprivation being what it is), I thought yesterday's sermon went well. It is becoming less stressful and more enjoyable to learn to preach at Community Church. I watch the faces of those sitting in the pews. I listen for the verbal responses, laughter, grunts, chuckles. I even managed to get an "Amen" or two yesterday. That was new. I feel better than I have, that's for certain. That I enjoy! But I am also aware of the furrowed brows as people try to follow my sometimes odd transitions...That could use a little work. But, all in all, things are getting better. Read through the outline again here.

Teresa was in town over the weekend. This is one of my favorite pictures of her. I share this with you because she and I went out with another friend of her's to hear the Chicago Symphony. The Symphony Center is a lovely place to hear pretty much anything. We were in the uppermost balcony, the famed nosebleed section, and it was perfect. The orchestra is not so far away that you cannot enjoy the gymnastics of the percussion section. Tremendous. Lovely. I want to go again soon. Thanks, Teresa. I very much enjoyed it. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Relatedly, Megan posted about music on her blog. I agree that one can enjoy music pretty much anywhere. But I have to say that hearing the symphony in their own orchestral hall is, well, awesome. When the double bass section (Eight very large fiddles?!) rumbles about and my sternum vibrates, well, suffice it to say that I hope that physical memory lasts a good while.

Megan also posted her Sabbath post. Give it a read. She points out some of Muller's underlying assumptions. Good stuff.

I don't enjoy sleep. I know I bemoan my frequent insomnia on my blog (Hey! It's my blog and I'll bemoan if I want to.), but to be honest I really don't enjoy sleep. That was the first thought I had when I read the title of the chapter, The Joy of Rest. Now, I know that rest does not have to be a nap or eight or more consecutive hours of sleep. I get it. But I wonder if I need to tweak my attitude just a little bit. I am simply afraid that I am going to miss something. I am forever four years old.

Now, when I am tired, I want to go to bed. I want to sleep. But I want to sleep just long enough to restore the batteries, no longer.

In the Grey Box is the suggested practice from the chapter. I have been thinking about the two or three weeks I managed to avoid the computer on my day off...Monday...and how that felt. It was good, I guess. I feel disconnected. I am so very dependent upon the ether now. It's probably a bad thing. But it is how I connect with my friends. I am more likely to e-mail or IM than call. So, when I give up my computer, I give up the phone and the television at the same time. But that's just so much whining. It doesn't change the reality that when I take a break from the laptop, I am more likely to rest...and, I must admit, enjoy it just a little. I usually have to leave everything, the television, the telephone, the incomplete tasks, the computer, all of it in order to rest that completely.

So, in short, I have crafted for myself a life opposed to rest on almost every level. Great. Well, at least now I know. Hey, I wouldn't want to miss anything, you know.

So, do you enjoy napping or sleeping in general? Are you one of those dormition enthusiasts?

Posted by tripp at November 20, 2006 06:39 AM