Time for rest

It is Sunday.

Sunday is a day of rest, and it is a day to spend with God.

It is hard to rest, if it means I have to be inactive. I did not do any of my professional work – but I mumbled to God as I found an old antique, a small table with broken legs in one of the rooms. It was one of my projects-in-line, and no need to do it quickly. Somehow the old furniture beckoned to me to take a look at it. Before I knew it, I was busy scraping off old glue, carving a bit one the parts, testing, filing, cutting in to the old wood, sensing the history in my hands. Now the parts fit, and they need to be properly glued – but before that, I tested it as the stand for a chessboard one of my sons made. Together they beamed in the sunlight.

Later in the morning I went out to the little hut in the backyard. It was originally set up as a play- house for a child or grandchild. We bought the property some months ago, and we just moved in in April, so I am getting to know the place. The toy house is going to become a small chapel!I t is situated towards the east. I sat in it for a while, delighted by the peace and the opportunity to pray. Although slightly tempted, I did not start cleaning it. It was Sunday. In my mind I was planning interior décor – fabrics, small furniture, items of value. I pondered the temple of God, and how it was never frugality which characterized it, but costly gems and fine fabrics. Perhaps it responds to human nature; we do not treasure cheap things. For God it may not make any difference; he is the Lord of all.

It was soon church time; but there was no service to my knowledge in our village. I was not going to the neighbour village today, because I had one my kids at home.

I still feel like I should have gone, though. It is awkward not going to church on Sundays.

Next thing I knew, I fell asleep on the couch. It was a day of rest, indeed.

I woke up groggy and bewildered. (I never take daytime naps.)

In the music collection I found ‘Requiem’ by Faure, and I listened. We practice Pie Jesu and Libera Me, Domine in the choir, so I was familiar with them. The rest was a journey in more foreign terrain. How I long for such moments of beauty! How I long for the presence of the sacred!

I know my calling: it is to pray. Intercession. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I may opine in the newspapers, be vocal and outspoken in public, but I know it may not make too much of an impact. What will make a difference, however, are God’s acts. Pray, Jesus says, and it will be given to you. So, I will pray for this village, that the Holy Spirit will be poured out on us, and the Church of Christ will rejoice and be glad. People will come to know the Lord and His Anointed.

We will see healing.

We sill see souls restored.

We will enter into His rest.