Shade Tree Wisdom 3/26/15

          In my last post I quoted Ecclesiastes chapter 5 at some length.  God also added that there ”is nothing better for man than to be joyful and do good as long as they live,” for this is “God’s gift to man”. (5,12)

          So, how can we work this direction (Command?) into our busy lives?

Lives that seem so filled with things that there is hardly room left for simply quiet joy.

          A recent study shows that many car accidents happen where teenagers are involved because they are phoning someone and become distracted.

          The WSJ recently carried an article titled, "In Germany, the benefits of rest and quiet Sundays”.  It calls it the ”Sonntagsruhe”, which means “Sunday rest”. The article mentions the fact that businesses are not open because their workers need to rest as well.  The Sunday rest is given to family visiting, eating in the park, going for a swim, and simply relaxing or visiting.

          I remember doing that on Sundays.  After dinner, we might visit with parts of the family.  The men often strolled over the farm, discussed various seeds and planting methods, and simply enjoyed the growing farmland.

          Why don’t we use God’s gift to men for our own betterment and enjoyment?  What will hurt if you spend a Sunday without the usual busyness?  This is “God’s gift to man” as Eccl. 5,12 says.

GPD 3/26/15