Unfilled Days

Unfilled Days

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.

Genesis 2:2

Is there a day in an Amish household when work doesn’t pile up? I doubt it. Yet the Amish do take a day of rest, just as the Bible directs. Apart from necessary tasks such as caring for animals and milking, they do not work on Sundays. Every other week they meet for church, and after church they eat together. Unlike church potlucks that many of us are used to, this meal is simpler—bread and spread, jams, pickled beets, cheese, and sometimes pie. Women cook ahead on Saturdays so they’ll not have to spend time in the kitchen on Sunday.

On Sundays, Amish families visit with others in the community or return home to rest. Sometimes they’ll visit the home of an elderly family member or a couple with a new baby. On Sunday evenings the youth gather for “singings,” in which they sing hymns and songs from the Ausbund and spend time in fellowship. This is a highlight of the week for teens.

On “off Sunday” (when there is no church), families visit another Amish service nearby. They often have devotions together as a family or visit family and friends.

Do you treat Sunday differently from other days? One of the Ten Commandments reminds us, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8), but do you set it apart as different? Do you use it as a time to worship God and connect with others, or is it simply another day to get things done?

God could have set up any structure He wanted for our week, but He chose to include a day set apart for rest. What can you do to make your Sabbath more holy? Turn to God and He will show you how.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You for setting up a structure to remind us how to fill our days—or unfill them—and how to keep us focused on You. Help me to remember to fill my Sabbath with ways to quiet and nurture my heart and connect with others and with You.