Our challenge is to close the book, to leave the religious service, to turn off the tape – and practice living the message.
-- Susan Taylor, from “In the Spirit”

Yesterday’s worship service was thoughtful, inspiring, and spirit-filled. You prayed and praised throughout the entire sermon. The minister challenged you to remain faithful in your study of the Word and encouraged you to live a greater life of service, love for others, and ministering to others as you go about your daily business. After church you hugged, kissed, and wished everyone a great week. On the way home, you reflected on the day’s message, listened meditatively to the end of the radio station’s gospel program, and felt fresh and clear as you skimmed into your Sunday afternoon.

Now, on this Monday morning, as you work through the contents of your overflowing paper and email inboxes; receive the demanding calls and visits that consume your day; and put out fires or fan flames, as necessary – all while keeping a professional face, tone, and deportment – you feel the ease and enthusiasm of Sunday slide away from you, like ice melting under the heat of the sun. Within hours you have drained and dripped every part of Sunday into your chair and onto the carpet, and it has evaporated into the ceiling tiles of your office, forever stuck there, never again retrieved.

How do you keep Sunday on, wrapped snugly around you like your favorite blanket? How do you stay in Sunday and the pleasant feelings that being in divine fellowship with God brings while you live, work, and play? How do you siphon Sundays from the foam ceiling tiles or keep it from thawing off you in the first place? How do you keep the music playing?

James and Patti said that “with any luck, then I suppose, the music never ends.” It may be luck, but certainly there’s more to it than that.

It’s probably starting the day with prayer. “Lord, at this hour and every hour of the day, guide my thoughts, my tongue, my feet, and my heart. Keep me focused on You and your way. Move me out of the way so that I may be a blessing to somebody and bring glory to You. In Your name, Jesus, amen.”

Possibly, it’s reading a passage or two of Scripture. “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.” Psalm 104:33-34

Maybe it’s retrieving the worship guide, reviewing the notes you took Sunday morning, and posting them on your mirror, dashboard, and computer. Maybe it’s reciting a few Hail Marys, singing a hymn, or repeating an affirmation. Perhaps it’s talking with a faithful friend and having an uplifting conversation while sipping a cup of peppermint tea. Maybe it’s taking a morning walk or a rejuvenating run in the lunchtime park, enjoying nature and the rush of life and energy through your veins. Maybe it’s stopping to meditate on what you’re feeling when everything becomes too tense then breathing deeply to release the stress caused by the tension. Maybe the deep breaths that require you to open up vital passageways are what make you able to hold on to or regain Sunday.

And, maybe if you look up every once in a while, you’ll notice Sunday.

No matter what your day and week become, Sunday, the sermon, and the feelings of it all can linger if you live with them and make them your companions. Today is Monday, but it can still be Sunday if you so choose.

Sadiqqa © 2007