Keeping Sabbath, Even When We Don't Want To

Rector's Rambling: October.

Sometimes, our wives need to protect us from ourselves. A bit over a month ago, Rebecca pointed out that I had not taken any vacation this year, and informed me that when Oscar came home from the trainer's, I would be taking some time off to “do whatever it is the two of you do together.” Well, I did, and we have, and it has been wonderful. Vacation, or Sabbath if you will, is something that forms a real part of my theology, but it is so easy to ignore. There is after all so much to do, and so often it is easier to do it yourself than it is to allow someone else to employ the gifts that God has given them. Taking time off from what we usually do is so necessary, because it brings us refreshment and new insights, but it is so easy to justify putting it off, especially when we need it the most.

Oscar by the way, is magnificent. As most of you know, he is a coal black English Cocker Spaniel, field bred, with estate bloodlines. All of that means that he is from a long line of hunting dogs who have proven their mettle over the decades, if not over the centuries. He is an instinctive little guy, but no one could say that he was overly intelligent. That is considered a good thing in the gun dog world. Like all working dogs, he is a joy to watch, and even more of a joy to work. 

Oscar finds absolute happiness in flushing and retrieving game of all types, and he lives to please his people. I cannot help asking as he works if I understand my vocation, my calling in life, as well as he enjoys his- and how I might find that consistency of joy which seems to characterize this beautiful little black dog, Vacation has allowed me a bit more time to read and study than I usually find, and most of that time was spent in the poetic books of the Old Testament, the Pauline Epistles, selected writings of the Caroline Divines, and John Ruskin's Oxford lectures on sculpture. I also read some of William Wordsworth's early poetry. 

I'm always amazed how God ties so many disparate threads together to help me make sense of life, and he has done so again. I can't really say how, but he has brought me a renewal over these past two weeks which fills me with peace and gives me an energized vision of what it means to be a priest. I do look forward to the work of the immediate future, to the honour of presiding at Holy Communion, of catechizing in the faith received, and of working to encourage us all to live as did Jesus. It is good to be a part of this work in this place, and I am blessed by your friendship and by the opportunity to labour with you to the greater glory of God, to the extending of his kingdom, and to the building up of his people. Thank you Rebecca, for looking out for me so well.

Bill+