What I Love About Sunday (Blog #38)

There are songs about Sunday and songs appropriate for Sunday. There is a CD compilation of country songs which make up the "What I Love About Sunday" collection. Some people sing about their longing for Sunday the way it used to be. Others reminisce about family, friends and fried chicken on Sundays. I felt it appropriate that I too post a blog about my favorite Sunday memories and the things that I "love" about Sunday.

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." [Psalm 118:24 NIV]

One of the earliest things I remember and enjoyed about Sunday was that, at least for a morning, the work on the farm was set aside. Since we were dairy farmers, there was really no getting away from farm work. Unless there was a harvesting crisis or hay to be cut or baled, most Sundays found us on our way to church after the morning milking and chores. Of course, my earliest memories of church were of falling asleep during the long sermons. When I became a pastor later in life, I did my best to keep everyone's attention and was very good at spotting the dozers in the congregation.

After church, there was Sunday School. Whether I had prepared my lesson or not, I enjoyed being there because I was not at home working on the farm. When I learned that my parents and older siblings were having coffee at the local cafe after church, I was not so happy. More than once in awhile, I would be the recipient of a $.05 or $.10 cent bag of candy. This was a big deal back then because some of the candy was two for a penny and a roll of sweet tarts was only a penny in those days.

One of the events that I enjoyed about Sunday never wore off. The Sunday afternoon nap is one of my favorite memories about Sunday. Even as a pastor, Sunday afternoons were times to unwind and usually a nap was included. However, as a pastor, there were sometimes obligations or church events on Sunday afternoons which precluded my scheduled nap. Growing up on the farm, Sunday naps, especially in the wintertime, were a luxury to be cherished. Many farmers, just like the big old bears in the woods, would often sleep a lot during the winter and put on a few extra pounds. All of this to prepare them for the busy growing season ahead.

Most of all, the best thing about Sunday for me over the years was the Sunday morning worship service. The pipe organ, the choir, the congregational singing and the liturgy, or the piano, contemporary gospel anthems, a praise and worship team - all of these elements contributed to positive memories of Sunday worship. And like the farmers who rest in the winter to prepare for the season ahead, the Sunday service provided the refreshment needed for the week ahead.

That's what I love about Sunday!

~ DB Turnmire

Almost Not A Blog (Blog #13)

Sometimes, it just happens. You intend to take a "little" nap so you close your eyes, maybe on the sofa, in a chair or on the bed. Then, before you know what happened, you are asleep. And you sleep and sleep and sleep. Hours later, when you finally awaken enough to shut the lights off, close the shades and secure the house for the evening, you are wide awake.

Of course, you don't think you will be wide awake so you decided you are just going to post a picture instead of writing a blog. But you can't decide on which singular picture to post, so you end up compromising on the picture. This picture is much more entertaining at the original website: http://www.awakeinphilly.org/Equipment/cleaning.shtml.

Ironically enough, the picture chosen for this blog post is on the community education website for "Awake In Philly." On their website is a link to "Awake in America". At first, I thought these groups were associate with the American Sleep Apnea Association and their A.W.A.K.E. support groups network across the United States of America. I was wrong! Instead, the Philadelphia based groups are advocates for individuals who have sleep-related conditions. Their advocacy assists with obtaining treatments for individuals without health insurance and educates employers on employees who might be afflicted with various sleep related conditions. The A.W.A.K.E. (Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic) network offers "mutual-help support groups for persons affected by sleep apnea".

I am quite sure that this blog post (of sorts) will receive at least one comment. At least I will be able to sleep the rest of the night knowing that I did not shirk my duty in writing another blog posting. Fully aware that I am two shy of making 50 blogs if I only compose one per day through July 27, 2009, one of these days expect a surprise. "God Bless and Good Night!"

~ DB Turnmire