Chat with Cat: A Fourth 'R'

We all know the '3 Rs': Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. In the new 'green' age these words have become almost a mantra to some--especially that last one. Somehow in our busy lives we have managed to find extra time to save the bottle, jars, newspapers, and boxes that fill our homes. I should know. I'm moving next week and this weekend managed to fill about a million (OK, about six) bags of recyclables.

Proponents of the '3 Rs' claim that doing these things are not only great for our planet, but also for our own health and finances. We produce fewer new items, so fewer gases and resources are consumed, etc, etc.

I would like to add one more 'R' to the list, and that would be 'rest.' It's good for our health and finances for sure, and I'm pretty certain your family physician would agree with that. It's also great for creation.

In fact, just today I received the most recent issue of the quarterly newsletter from Presbyterians for Earth Care--an excellent P.C.(USA) organization that helps "people of faith to foster earth care in their communities and congregations." (I attended the PEC biannual conference here in Montreat back in July.) The theme of this quarter's newsletter is the Sabbath and the practice of keeping it.

I haven't had the opportunity to read all of it yet, but there appears to be some great pieces written about sitting back and taking a look at creation. On particular part jumped out at me. This is from the cover story, written by Terry Chapman, pastor at Forked River Presbyterian Church in New Jersey:

...the practice or, to use a biblical term, the 'keeping' of Sabbath is not just another lifestyle option or one more think to check off a list of the top ten things that if done will make one happy, wealthy, and wise. It is an imperative rooted in the very essence of creation. ... When we forget or refuse to keep the Sabbath, not only do we suffer, the intricate tapestry of the cosmos begins to unravel... (PEC Update)

Those are some powerful words. We need to rest. We need to retreat. We need to take time for Sabbath, whether it's on our holy day of the week or not. Check out the brand new PEC website for more thoughts on the Sabbath and creation, and start thinking today how you might plan your Sabbath.

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Cat is the Sales Associate at Montreat Conference Center. She loves helping people plan the perfect Montreat Experience and would love to hear from you about how this blog can help you.

Cat can be reached at catw@montreat.org or at @Cat_Montreat.