What Can I Do on the Sabbath?

The Sabbath came and I was not successful in doing much differently than I usually do as per my quest detailed in June 6 blog. Because my sweet little granddaughter was visiting & sick, I did not breech the subject of “no T.V.” We watched the Gnome Mobile and Curious George (probably Sabbath appropriate). I am not giving up, however. In fact, last night at our family home evening group, I told of my dilemma— “I want to keep the Sabbath Day holy in a better way.” Here is the best advice I think anyone could have given me.

Approach the Sabbath Day with a list of appropriate things that CAN be done. The logical reasoning behind this is that if children (or anyone for that matter) are continually told what they cannot do, they will eventually rebel. By nature, people need to know positives—things that they can do. We need to give them ideas and possibilities.

Does this make sense? I am confident that this is a truth that can be applied to many situations in our families. “Tell me what I can do—not what I can’t do.”

The Lord has commanded us to keep the Sabbath day holy. Truly this requires determination and ever-guarded diligence. The world, today, is full of distractions and is not always helpful in our efforts to observe this law and we must be ever-watchful because of this. To help your family, create the above mentioned list of “Sabbath Cans.” Perhaps you could make a “Sunday Brightener Box” containing ideas for Sabbath activities. You might include reading Church magazines, visiting grandparents or shut-ins, writing someone (like missionaries), playing games, etc. Be prayerful about this. What might be appropriate to me may very well be inappropriate to you. Your Sabbath choices are between you, your spouse, your children and the Lord.