"it is good"

"One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as the made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, 'Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?' And he said to them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the House of God, then, and ate the Bread of Presence,...and gave it to some of his companions. Then he said to them, 'The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind the sabbath." Mark 2:23-27

I’ve been cleaning house over the past few weeks--making room for community. It's a Tuesday night ritual to sweep the house over and think about who will show up the next night...who will meet another new friend for the first time.

We've had two weeks together. Every Wednesday, we will experience what it is to return back to a more simple way of approaching our spirituality—the movement of the emerging church. A few of you have been asking me what this is all about (www.emergingchurch.info), and all I can say is that it is a return back “to the way things were”—a simpler time in our faith when “being” was just as important is “doing,” and worshipful experiences didn’t stop and begin only in hollowed sanctuary walls.

Those of you who’ve gotten to know me well over these past three months know that I live by two rules: 1) Start the day always with coffee, prayer, a song, and 2) always take Fridays—my Sabbath time off. There is SO MUCH work to do around here, and especially for those of you who have started new jobs, or a new year in school, you know that "lawful" pressure of what we should and shouldn't be doing. I had to learn the hard way--after years of worry and being stiff-lipped--that letting go and doing the seemingly "unlawful" things in life is sometimes the most faithful response to God we can offer. And it can be the most precious gift we can give to ourselves. Going to Starbucks and hanging out with friends, or making my way to the banks of Cypress Lake to catch the view has been a constant practice for me here in Bossier, and (along with getting to know all of you) these rhythms have kept my life joy-filled, surprising, and fresh.

Let us remember the joy of Sabbath as we start our busy lives again—by lighting candles, laughing among friends, singing songs, walking in the grainfields, keeping silence, walking, reading, napping, sharing a meal. As darkness falls each day, as the light of the world fades and disappears, our steps take us home, and the light draws us in.

May you find some comfort here.

Sweet peace to you,

Katie.

ps, don't forget brunch at Nicky's in Bossier on THIS Sunday at 12:15!