Making your Dash Count

Wrapped in Prayer April 29, 2006

I don’t spiritually transform when the sun sets on the week and Shabbat begins, although I envy those who have that ability. My life doesn’t naturally slow down on Saturdays. To make it slow down, I have to make a concerted effort to break from the busy-ness of everything that is still to be done. Sometimes, however, I need to make that effort to bring my life, my emotions, my self back into balance. One place I am able to do that is within the sanctuary of prayer in our Synagogue.

At different times in my life, I have used that sacred space and time differently. When my children were young, it was a time for them to see friends and for me to see adults. As they grew, their friendships developed and mine blossomed. As part of an interfaith marriage living far from my parents, this time and space allowed me to be among an extended family and allowed my children to experience generations. Without this time and space, I am not sure that my children would have had that.

Now that time and space have become a safe place for me. As life takes its turns, it is nice to know that there is a place I can go and be among friends, if I wish, or to be alone in the comfort of ritual and prayer.

Although I would love to feel the spiritual transformation that Shabbat promises, I suppose that that can only come if I allow it to happen. By slowing down on Shabbat with family at home and family in our sacred spaces, I am taking that first step. I do know that when I make a concerted effort, it does help bring me one step closer to balance in my life