At first I thought, this will be easy as pie! I know when the Sabbath is! But the more I began to research the subject the more I realized I had gotten deep deep into a sink hole of endless knowledge. Which is not a bad thing for writers who love the research part, eh?

The word Sabbath, according to the Wikipedia means: "the weekly day of rest...or worship...observed by Abrahamic religions"

The word Sabbath is Yiddish for day of rest as well. as ties to the Biblical story of creation in six days. In Hebrew religions Sabbath is also a festive or a fun day. On the other hand, it also has a meaning of "labour strike" and cessation of any work.

It appears that at one time it was felt that the word came from the Egyptians, or rather from the origin theories of the Egyptians, who had the God, Saturn as their main deity. However, it was later found to be untrue and the origin again goes returns to the people of different religions who trace their ancestry back to Abraham, namely:

· Islam

· Judaism

· Christianity

So, let's break it down shall we?

· Abrahamic religions believe the word Sabbath to be connected to the book of Genesis. Specifically, the day of rest. However, that day varies from religion to religion. In the East, that day could be Friday night to Saturday night, or just Saturday itself. In the West it can also be either Saturday or Sunday, with Sunday being the most popular among Protestant religions. It also needs to be added that with the word Sabbath, also means specific holy days, with feasting that is done at least twice a year. These feast days, in the Hebrew faith, occur four times in the spring and three times in the fall.

· Islamic religions start their Sabbath on Friday at noon. They accord their day of rest as the day that God created Adam. The Koran specifically states that it will be best for everyone to pray and observe on this day.

· Christianity is, as usual very mixed. Jehovah Witnesses use Saturday. Protestants use Sunday. It can become very confusing.

What do you believe?

Does it really matter? From the time I was small I loved 'sunny school' and anything to do with church. Why not?

We had Pollywogs, I got to sing, I learned, I was little Mynah Bird and I never, ever got a spanking with a belt!! That was the one place I felt really safe. The one place I knew I was accepted for what and who I was. The loudest place where I heard, in my head, what I was to do for the rest of my life.

The older I got, the more exposed I became to personalities who used the Sabbath as a day not to worship but for other reasons, the more confused, angry and sad I became. The older I became, the less I wanted anything to with the church.

But the Sabbath? That feels the same to me. A safe place. A day of rest. A time to hear, in my head, the loudest direction for the rest of my life.

Is it always so cut and so clear? Of course not, what is?

Is it different because I am unhappy? Of course not. I am the reason it is less clear. The Higher Power is always there.

Is the Higher Power any less a presence in my life because of the way I feel?

Of course not.

And of all that we know about the word Sabbath and the different ways it is observed by the Abrahamic Religions, does it change the reason it was established in the first place?

NO, duh, of course not!!!!

There is a Higher Power, whatever name you call it and fortunately there was one man, one flawed man who loved and respected and tried his human best to follow the Higher Powers voice in his head.

That man was the father of two babies by two women. That man was Abraham.

The Higher Power loved him

The Higher Power loved his wife and his maidservant.

The Higher Power loved both of those women's sons.

So should we all.

So should we all just love one another?

Back to the Sabbath

Oh just think of the day, whichever is your Sabbath day, like Emily Dickinson taught us:

"Some keep the Sabbath by going to church,

I keep it staying at home,

With a Bobolink for a chorister

And an orchard for a dome"