Quietness

There is something special about a Sunday afternoon. Especially one of those days when the house is quiet.

Often, when the children were growing up, we would make a homemade meal for early afternoon, and invite a number of their friends over after church. This was always a big hit, as so few of their peers enjoyed home cooked food on a regular basis.

It was a treat for me as well, since Teresa is a master of the kitchen arts. Our son left for Tech, and our daughter for boarding school, in the fall of 99, and the house became fairly quiet. Sunday afternoons were sometimes used to run errands that didn't get taken care of during the rest of the week.

My favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon is to simply read, maintain an unschedule, and take a nap. Some of those naps are 30 minutes, some have been two hours. Whatever their length, they speak to the fact that for this day, there are no appointments to get ready for, no deadlines to meet, and nothing pressing that can't be postponed.

Yes, there are occassional family get togethers, or other activities. However, both of us have found real value in simply a quiet, unscheduled day. The absolute best type of Sunday involves going absolutely nowhere, once we get home from church. We have recognized the wisdom of the six and one design that has been in place for centuries.

All of us need time and space away from things that occupy our mind and time the other six days a week. I have found myself more ready to engage, mentally more prepared, and looking forward to time with all my responsibilities, when I clear my calendar for rest and refreshment.

What about you?

Until next time...

Randy