Snow and the Sabbath

[rampion]

So I woke up this morning, Sunday, to see snow all over the yard and the trees and everything outside. Winter and I have never gotten along well and at first I just wanted to hibernate. My 10-year-old son was already out there enjoying the white stuff, having broken out his snow suit and all his winter gear (while neglecting to wear socks, LOL!). I had an attitude adjustment and thought at least I have a good reason to go outside and get some exercise shoveling the driveway and sidewalks, because that has to be done, right? I don't know if it didn't stick there or if a thoughtful neighbor with a snowblower beat me to it, but there was no snow on the driveway or sidewalks. Darnit, I got out my snow boots and snow shovel for nothing. So I decided I could at least shovel the back deck.

I have a very heavy work/school/internship schedule (plus commuting) that keeps me in an office at a computer, or a classroom, or in the car, almost all day and until dark, sometimes six days a week. I really want to spend some time outside sometime, but I have a serious lack of time Monday through Saturday. I have set limits so that I don't have work or school, etc. on Sunday. I feel that for me it would be rest to go outside and do something and appreciate the animals and the trees and the flowers and the garden (very limited due to my time, not lack of space or resources - we have an acre of land and chickens and goats, etc. - the children mostly take care of the animals now), and this world that God gave us. And I shrivel and become incapacitated with inadequate sunshine. I have seasonal affective disorder.

Back to the story. After I shoveled the deck I noticed that my pear trees and apple trees still have a lot of good fruit on them that probably won't last too well in the snow, so, yes, I picked a few apples that were in easy reach, then I got some bags and went up the ladder to salvage the rest of the pears (I had picked pears to give to others, but not kept any because I didn't have time to can them - I can't even remember if I have eaten even one pear this year - I think my cousin gave me one back to eat of the ones I took to her). My son continued building a snow tower, excited that I was outside with him for once.

And the neighbor, who I get along with well and consider a friend, came out and yelled at her daughter who had also gotten out her winter gear and was at the fence talking to my son. And then I thought, oh yeah, it's Sunday and we are being a bad influence. She didn't say anything to me or my son, but now I'm worried about what she thinks of me, out there picking pears in the snow on Sunday and allowing my son to play in the snow.

I have wished so many times that I could go out on a Sunday morning or evening and trim the roses or do something with the garden or just do something outside. I usually don't dare, so it never gets done. I'll go out and say hello to the goats and chickens.

What do you think? In this modern world when so many of us are locked up inside all week, is it a bad thing to go outside on Sunday? That at least breaks the routine of sitting here at the computer like I do all the time. We have the late church schedule, and I'll be there. I'm just hoping I didn't make a bad mistake this morning.

Edited October 12, 2008 by rampion

[MarginOfError]

Ultimately, it's up to you what's appropriate to do on any given Sunday. We can sit here and make justifications and condemnations on your actions of today for a long long time. Use your head and use your heart and don't worry about what others think of it.

Having given the correct response, now, let me say that you're very blessed to have fruit trees. Following an unexpected snow storm it would be tragic to let that blessing go to waste and I too would have gathered the fruit. Do everything you can to make sure none of it is wasted (whether that means canning or giving away). I would look at today as a bit of an unusual circumstance that warrants slightly different behavior. As long as you're not finding a snow storm every week so you can do these things, I think you'll be okay.

[ElderBigDawg]

I don't see what's wrong with going out and enjoying one of God's many wonders on a Sunday.

Speaking of which, there's snow here too! It started yesterday, and just now stopped and is starting to melt.

[Steven22]

I love the snow! When it is snowing it is so quiet and peaceful. I love when everything is all white. To me, I hope that there is snow in the next life. I think I love the snow so much because it is white and it makes me think of the temple.

[tubaloth]

In this modern world when so many of us are locked up inside all week, is it a bad thing to go outside on Sunday?

What I can’t even go out side on Sunday even?

You have to figure out what is worthwhile on Sunday. Yes you probably should have picked the pairs and so forth before it snowed.

I also don’t see any problem with going out and playing in the snow, as long as it doesn’t interfere with any other Sunday activity.

I don't know if it didn't stick there or if a thoughtful neighbor with a snowblower beat me to it, but there was now snow on the driveway or sidewalks.

I didn’t stick. The ground was just to warm for anything to stick, not that its cold, any other snow storm might stick.

[Moksha]

Having guilt is not a good way to celebrate the Lord's Day, so quit worrying. This holy day was made for us and not the other way around. Make your time outdoors joyous. :)

[Palerider]

Just wtach out for the yellow snow......:)

[Truegrits]

Just wtach out for the yellow snow......:)

YUK!!! Even worse that the white stuff...

[Wingnut]

Just wtach out for the yellow snow......:)

Why?

[lilered]

Are we talking about taking a walk on the Sabbath and enjoying the Snow, trees, and Gods beautiful masterpierce ? Or are we talking about picking fruit, riding horses, and/or performing work on the Sabbath?

It seems to me that there is a difference.

Couldn't the fruit have been picked by someone else or early Sat. morning or even Sat. evening into the night?

[pam]

Why?

haha wing..seriously you don't know?

[pam]

Okay Rampion this is my take on it. Enjoying the world that God created for us is a wonderful thing to me on a Sunday. When you can stand back and contemplate all the beauty and the wondrous things of God..how is that breaking the Sabbath? There are many who take Sunday drives to enjoy just that.

Did you plan to pick the pears? Per your OP I don't think so. Again you were enjoying nature and just happened to notice some fruits of that nature which you didn't want to go to waste with the snow. I think sometimes we have to remember what was in our heart at the time of certain actions.

Those that go out snowboard or skiing on the Sabbath...are they JUST enjoying nature? No you have to usually plan a trip like that so therein lies the difference.

Again just my opinion for what it's worth.

[Palerider]

Why?

no clue....but my Mom always told me to avoid the yellow snow....:)

[BenRaines]

Steven, I think snow will taste like cotton candy in the next life. At least mine will.

Oh I forgot to pick the fruit and it is Sunday. Is that anything like Oh I forgot to get some eggs and milk and it is Sunday, oh and while I am at it why not a candy bar and a few other things.

This is not like getting a flat tire on the way to church or a baby getting sick and not having the medicine you need.

I don't think the Ox was in the mire in this case.

Ben Raines

[Palerider]

Steven, I think snow will taste like cotton candy in the next life. At least mine will.

Oh I forgot to pick the fruit and it is Sunday. Is that anything like Oh I forgot to get some eggs and milk and it is Sunday, oh and while I am at it why not a candy bar and a few other things.

This is not like getting a flat tire on the way to church or a baby getting sick and not having the medicine you need.

I don't think the Ox was in the mire in this case.

Ben Raines

somtimes we do make living the Gospel harder than it needs to be...:D

[pam]

I agree Pale. Did I just say that?

[Truegrits]

pam

I agree Pale. Did I just say that?

Are you sick? Do you have a temp?

[Palerider]

hey...it scraes me too when and if we agree.......

[Palerider]

pam

Are you sick? Do you have a temp?

she always has a fever....it will never go away......LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[pam]

pam

Are you sick? Do you have a temp?

Actually I am sick. Woke up from a nap yesterday feeling like death warmed over. Was hoping a good night sleep would help but alas did not. I think I'm getting my yearly cold that kicks my behind for a couple of days.

Anyway...back to the subject.

[Palerider]

Actually I am sick. Woke up from a nap yesterday feeling like death warmed over. Was hoping a good night sleep would help but alas did not. I think I'm getting my yearly cold that kicks my behind for a couple of days.

Anyway...back to the subject.

so much a person could say....but due to the illness...I will have compassion for this moment.......instead of resting you are here breathing germs all over the screen so that all of us might get sick....I see how you are....

[rampion]

The fruit could have been picked earlier, and I had asked my kids to, but they didn't. And I had planned to on days that I was going to work later, but wasn't able to for various reasons.

Yeah, there is a difference between taking a walk and picking fruit, but for some things it's a fine line. Riding horses is work for some people, recreation for others. Part of my question is that I always wish that I could get out and trim the roses or do some gardening even though it's Sunday, because I don't get the opportunity to do any of that most of the rest of the week. For me, the kind of rest that I need is to get outside and do something, preferably active, because I never get the chance to. And I don't know how I feel about that.

[rampion]

Did you plan to pick the pears? Per your OP I don't think so. Again you were enjoying nature and just happened to notice some fruits of that nature which you didn't want to go to waste with the snow. I think sometimes we have to remember what was in our heart at the time of certain actions.

Again just my opinion for what it's worth.

So, almost the ox in the mire situation, huh? But there is the question of did I make and follow through with plans to pick the pears earlier. And I planned to, but never got it done.

[pam]

Rampion I think you are being too hard on yourself. Honestly...the way you described the situation...I would feel no guilt whatsoever.

[pam]

Actually I find myself in much the same situation as rampion. I work 6 days a week sometimes 7. My teenagers all have jobs and we are almost NEVER home at the same time..except to sleep. Sundays seem to be our only days that we find ourselves at home together.

So unfortunately...Sunday has to sometimes be a day when we get things done that we just can't get done during the week. It's the way life is sometimes.