As I lie in bed under covers, trying to beat a cold or whatever virus I picked up from Sam’s t-ball team, I grabbed my laptop and began working on the articles that were needed for this Dovetales. As I stared out the window at the green trees shine in the sun, I thought “how great is this? I can lie here, do my work and really not miss any time.” Isn’t technology great, seemed to be the direction of my thoughts. But then I began to realize that I was falling for the propaganda.

            Yes, technology is great. We are now able to communicate with one another in so many ways through cell phones, email, twitter, Facebook, you name it. We are also able to be more productive; kid sick, fine just work from home. These are some of the advantages of technology, but how often do we consider the downside.

            Probably what I need most, as I write this, is to be resting, but instead, I feel compelled to get this work done. I can’t tell you how many times my cell phone has rung at one of Sam’s t-ball games. When do we get a chance to turn it all off? When do we get a chance to withdraw from our world when we need it? There is no such thing as a 9 to 5 job anymore, when you can be emailed at anytime, or when you can be reached by phone anywhere you go. Even weekends are no longer weekends.

            Over the last couple of years GPC has held a vigil the Saturday before Easter which is twenty-four hours. At first it was difficult finding people to fill all the hours, a few people took a double shift, but last year and again this year, that was not a problem. The feedback I receive is that people really appreciate this quiet time, a time that they can officially turn off the world and just spend time with God.

            At a recent deacons meeting and again at one of the bible study sessions, people expressed a desire to expand this vigil. Perhaps allow more than one person to sign up per hour to make this available to all who want to come, perhaps we should hold vigils throughout the year. There is a hunger out there for time alone, for Sabbath.

            I happen to think that we all recognize the need for Sabbath but feel guilty if we have down time and just taking that time for ourselves when we could use that time to be “productive”. Yet it is imperative for our spiritual health as well as physical and emotional health to find ourselves and reconnect as we journey through our hectic lives. If you still feel guilty about taking the time, well, do it because your pastor said so, do it because God says so.