What’s up y’all?

(How do you like my new greeting? I thought I would try a new one each week on Tidings. Enjoy! )

The weekend coming up is Labor Day. As you know, it signifies the unofficial end to summer. Schools are starting, the days are starting to feel shorter and vacations are over. Because of everything going on, this weekend might have a different feel to it. Schools are starting, but depending on where you live and what district you child attends, they might be going to the actual school building or they might be starting school from your dining room table. The days are still getting shorter, but you may not have been able to take a vacation this year.

I don’t know your situation, but I have a feeling, you could use a rest. I think this is the intention of Labor Day. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the work one has done and to take a break from it. I don’t know about you, but I feel that I could use a rest.

Our faith has a word for taking a rest from work also. It is called sabbath. The first chapter of Genesis stresses this. On the seventh day, God rested.

I don’t have any profound words, but I know sometimes, we need permission to rest. Our society values and rewards hard work. There is nothing wrong with hard work. It is needed, but it is not the only thing that is needed. Rest is needed also. If we don’t stop and rest, we would not be able to continue to do the important work that we are called to do.

This Labor Day weekend I hope you find time to rest. You get to determine what it looks like to rest. For some, it might mean working on a project that they find to be life-giving. For others, it might mean sitting down and reading a book and a beverage next to them. Who knows, the point is to find something that restores your soul and helps you breathe a little easier.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tim