Monday, August 9, 2010

Sunday pastimes

I'm reading "Little Men" (Louisa May Alcott) for the first time, and was struck by this simple description of Sunday afternoon relaxation:

" 'This is my Sunday closet,' she said, showing him shelves filled with picture-books, paint-boxes, architectural blocks, little diaries, and materials for letter-writing. 'I want my boys to love Sunday, to find it a peaceful, pleasant day, when they can rest from common study and play, yet enjoy quiet pleasures, and learn, in simple ways, lessons more important than any taught in school.' "
Continue/-

What a great list of peaceful, uplifting recreational activities. Okay, I realize that someone might be more inclined to outdoorsy pastimes, but you get the idea. Sunday isn't the day when you're NOT allowed to do certain things, it's the day when you finally have the privilege of attending to some of those forgotten interests that bring you joy.

On Sundays I like studying something for fun, doing an art project, or catching up on correspondence. I also might practice an instrument or just listen to some favorite music. And I like doing a culinary project if it is relaxing and creates a nice atmosphere in the home, not one of stress.

The excerpt above doesn't mention God, although they do some hymn-singing together. It's not a description of how to worship. I think the important thing is to acknowledge that God WANTS us to rest, and gives us peaceful moments as a gift.

2 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I know, I know... this post will be deleted. Here it goes. "Delete It Now!"

    Liz, are you being religious on purpose or are you like this in your everyday life? I HONESTLY do not understand people who think they are the center of God's will or something...

    How about living your life, Liz? I mean just living it. Have you ever lived your life without any religious activity? Or religious talk? God is not going to kill you or send you to hell if you live like any other human being. Or do you think he will?

    I think you are not being fake. But maybe you are. I don't know. But HONESTLY, again, I do not envy you even if you are not fake. But it is a strange life you are living. God has never been at anyone's disposal. That's why he hated the Pharisees. He doesn't want us to act like them.

    Just LIVE your life, Liz. Can you post a post where I can come to know Liz from Massachusetts? Or do I have to read the facade of religious activity from post to post?

    ReplyDelete

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