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Shabbot Shalom

We celebrate Sabbath in our home. We don't do it well, but we stumble into it every week if we can. Because Joel works on Saturdays and Sundays we celebrate on Friday. I'm amazed sometimes at how things have progressed over the years. When we first started it was very much a liturgical part of it. Now sometimes it just feels like another day of the week.
I think that liturgy is meant to help us. When we gave it up for our Sabbath celebration, I think it was because it was hindering us. I'm thinking that we might need to bring it back though. There was some really good stuff in there.
We used the words and scripture from a book called A Prayerbook for Husbands and Wives by Ruthanne and Walter Wangerin, Jr.. It's one of my favorite prayer books, highly recommend it for anyone who is married. I love how it uses italics as cues to insert the gender and name of your spouse without being overly complicated about it or vague. Don't you just hate vague prayers?
Since it's Sabbath, I thought I could share a prayer with you from the book.

When My Spouse is Exhausted or Troubled

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Then pray...

Jesus, give me eyes to see:
     when my dear one is exhausted and troubled.
Jesus, give me the heart to know:
     that then it is my marital responsibility to comfort and restore her.
Jesus, give me the wisdom to choose:
     the best means for comfort and restoration, never forcing my own ideas, ever
     searching her face and mind and condition for the true need and the best medicine.
Jesus, give me patience:
     that I might serve willingly and faithfully as long as she has the need.
Jesus, give me joy and faith:
     that I might be a witness, a visible connection between her and you;
     that I never cease to pray for her.

WW

I need to say this one today. My spouse has been working hard for quite some time. I'm hoping this Sabbath day brings him some rest and the end of any troubles.

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