I caught you!

I caught you not resting on a Sunday! Oh, you are resting? You're just checking out a few blogs? I'll let it slide this time. :)

When I was growing up, Sundays were special--reserved for Mass together as a family, a nice big Sunday meal usually in early afternoon, and either visiting relatives or they visiting us. You knew it was a Sunday. These days it's hard to tell one day from another sometimes. We are so busy that I think we carry our busy-ness into Sundays, too. It's hard not to when there's so much to do and so little time, it seems! Are we doing too much? Do we need to plan better?

So, what's a Christian mother to do? How do we observe the Sabbath when we are catching up on laundry, washing the kitchen floor (because we haven't had a chance to do it the other day and it is disgusting), and endless other household tasks as well as trips to the store for materials for a school project or kids just wanting to shop?

We have to draw the line somewhere and then stick with that. Perhaps it will be vowing not to do laundry on a Sunday, refusing to go to stores unnecessarily on Sundays, and certainly spending more family time together and making sure everyone knows that they are all required to be present for Sunday dinner. Of course, we know that some sports events have crept into our Sundays so we need to adjust our schedules at times, perhaps. However, it is up to us parents to set the limits and lay down the foundations. The traditions we begin now will be carried out throughout our family's life to a certain extent and even into our children's future family's traditions.

How can we slow down a little and what can we do to enjoy a day of rest?

1) Vow to make certain adjustments to the Sunday schedule.
a) a regular dinner time when everyone is required to be there.
b) less or no shopping.
c) no doing laundry.
d) and wherever you need to adjust the hectic-ness to achieve more calmness.

2) hug your kids and spouse.
3) hug them again.
4) and again (now wasn't that nice?)
5) read a book.
6) read to the kids.
7) take a nap. what?! I've not done this but hope to try it sometime. :)
8) do something outside together.
9) do some yard work together (even though it's technically work, it can be fun!)
10) take a walk in the fresh air, weather permitting.
11) tell a story while walking.
12) tell jokes.
13) play a game.
14) talk about something inspirational.
15) pray.
16) plan dinner together (hopefully you have already planned it previously but want the kids to feel included).
17) get the family to help out with dinner--make it fun.
18) bake a dessert together.
19) call a relative you have been meaning to talk to but haven't had time.
20) invite a relative over.
21) give the dog a bath (well, maybe not. My dog needs one, though!).
22) write a letter--not an email, an actual letter or card that you will put in an envelope and put a stamp on to mail to brighten some one's day.
23) have the kids write a thank you note to someone special in their lives.
24) pray some more.
25) plan an outing.
26) get creative - draw some pictures with the kids.
27) start a tradition with the kids.
28) think about what you can do to help a needy family with in the upcoming holidays.
29) smile!
30) smile some more, happy that God has truly blessed you!

I'm sure you get the idea. Think of some of your own things to do. I have to go now to hug my family and enjoy this beautiful Sunday which I hope will include going for a walk on this gorgeous Autumn day! Go and have a BLESSED day!

God bless!