Yesterday morning in our pre-Worship meeting, a strange thing happened. The Worship Team realized that we didn't have many Announcements. I was surprised, as the bulletin was packed with things upcoming. But, I was reminded those were our "regular activities." Sunday morning Announcements are usually devoted to the special, the extra. Yesterday, we only had two of those. A week ago, by contrast, we had two pages single-spaced. Why the difference?

The difference is that we're moving into summer. Whereas Marble is a twelve-month-a-year, full service sort of place, there is an undeniable "calendar calming" during summer.  That's a good thing. The Bible calls it "Sabbath" – a time to relax, reflect, and re-fuel.

Periodically both individuals and institutions need to do that. We need to step back from the hectic and in some quiet way and place just think and pray. The Bible calls us to "Be still and know..." To know what we've been about vis-à-vis what we're called to be about, what we've done too much or too little of, who we've helped and who we've missed, how we've succeeded and how we can yet succeed, what we've been given and what we are called to give, blessings we've recognized and blessings we've overlooked, love we've received and love we need to pass along, how to give thanks for what was and how to get excited about what lies ahead... to know, to think, to pray, to reflect, all that is part of making wise use of Sabbath. 

But, let's not forget the full text quoted earlier only in part: "Be still and know that I am God." In quiet meditation (and summer provides opportunities for that too often unavailable in busier seasons), we remember our experiences of the Divine and imagine Who the Divine actually is. There is something sacred and empowering about imagining God – wondering what He is like, how She interacts with us, what God's graces and purposes might be and how that makes our lives better, deeper, and richer.

And, before I finish typing this and move on to my daily array of meetings, let me briefly mention again the word "re-fuel."  Summer is a time to do something for yourself. "Self-care" does not equal "selfishness." In truth, unless you take care of yourself, you will not be able to adequately take care of tasks or of others. Let off the accelerator a bit. Discover the beauty of the term "down time." Drink in nature. Celebrate relationships.  Ease up on yourself. Take a moratorium from all the "shoulds" and "oughts" that dictate your days. Personally, I've been downloading some books on my Kindle, and most are not theological books. I've bought some biographies and some mysteries, something just for my own pleasure. Jesus said that's okay. "You shall love your neighbor... as yourself."

Happy Summer!