Patty Mayeux Blog

Here is a Friday book scan (as compared to a full review) of “Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives,” by Wayne Muller.

This beautiful book, filled with poetic prose, stories and poems, reminds us that Sabbath is a commandment, not a suggestion. Our ego-driven and prideful selves believe we are beyond the need for rest. Taking time to do nothing but stop, look, listen and then remember the strength gained from rest is often neglected. We put our health at peril. If we push too hard for too long, our bodies will give out. We’ll be forced to stop, as illness or exhaustion takes over. That’s the best case. Worst case? A full stop.

Our current, cultural world tells us we are not enough. We don’t do enough. We don’t earn enough. We don’t matter enough. More, more, more, but Muller says we are, we do, we matter enough to honor the imperative call of rest. “In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest.” 

“Because we do not rest, we lose our way. … We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom. We miss the joy and love born of effortless delight. …And for want of rest, our lives are in danger.”

“Sabbath” is so full of gorgeous combinations of wise words, poetry and stories, I could attach dozens of quotes. Read it as a time of rest, allowing your overwhelmed, overwrought and overworked self to breathe. Rest in Muller’s words as you contemplate the importance of Sabbath.