You say poh-tay-toe, I say poh-tah-toe. No matter how you slice it, we're still talking about a brown starchy vegetable that (sadly) tastes best when fried. Just as there is no absolutely correct way to pronounce the word potato, there's no single way to observe the Sabbath.

The concept of resting from work and celebrating Creation is biblically-based. Christians, Jews and Muslims all share religious roots in the Old Testament, but like the potato theory— while the object is the same, its description is different. Many other religions do not have what we in the Western world know to be a Sabbath. However, gathering together for prayer and praise is practiced by all.

What if you're spiritual, not necessarily religious? Is it important, or even meaningful, to set aside a day for rest and appreciation? Try it and see for yourself. Schedule some rest for yourself and put prayer on your to-do list.

Seventh Day

Sometimes the answer
is in the waiting…
sometimes the answer is, be still.
Pause.  Breathe.
For Whoever crafted nature,
tiny toddler toes, 
and worlds without end
is surely able.

And if the seventh day
was the day of rest,
Then no matter
how much world-shifting, 
life-changing drama may be
in the offing,
there’s always
the seventh day.

Please remind me of this,
as I run in place,
and shake my fist at the sky.
Respite, relief, and rest will come.  
Be present for me even
when I am not myself,
and help me to calm my mind.

"Would the world be a better place if
everyone observed the Sabbath?"