LITTLE HOUSE SABBATH

Last year I read the whole Little House series to my children and they just adored it. So did I, by the way. A while back I started a "series" discussing my observations on the books. Here's my second installment; please forgive my extreme tardiness. For those who are curious, we read Swiss Family Robinson after Little House and we are now almost done The Secret Garden. I have to admit that even though SFR was interesting and exciting, it wasn't what I would call a joy to read aloud. On the other hand, The Secret Garden is one of the best books we've read. I just wish I could do a good Yorkshire accent. I keep trying to imitate Eliza in My Fair Lady but I know I'm falling far short. The good thing about reading aloud to your children though is that they don't care. They have no expectations and I am free to read as dramatically as I like.

On to the Little House books. In the first one, Little House in the Big Woods, I was struck by how the family spent their Sundays. They didn't have the opportunity to go to a church but they observed the Sabbath anyway. However, I felt the restrictions that were made on the children were kind of severe.

"On Sundays Mary and Laura must not run or shout or be noisy in their play. Mary could not sew on her nine-patch quilt, and Laura could not knit on the tiny mittens she was making for Baby Carrie. They might look quietly at their paper dolls, but they must not make anything new for them. They were not allowed to sew on doll clothes, not even with pins."

It seems Sundays were supposed to be as quiet as possible and as solemn as possible. If you've read the book you know that Laura couldn't take it one winter Sunday and started playing with the dog very loudly. However, Pa was very merciful to her and instead of punishment he told a story about how their grandpa had it even worse on Sundays. Grandpa had to do everything perfectly on Sunday - walk solemnly, talk but not laugh, sit perfectly still in church during a two hour sermon, plus sit perfectly still on a hard wooden bench in the afternoon studying their catechism. I wonder if this was typical for most families back then. They even ate their meals cold because cooking was considered work. I guess today the pendulum has swung far to other side. I think most evangelicals today don't try to set apart the Sabbath for anything except going to church and then maybe going out for lunch or having a special dinner.

Question: How does your family set the Sabbath day apart? Is it a day of solemnity or a day of joy and celebration?

Our dog finally gets neutered this Friday. Hallelujah!! He has so much energy I think we could power our house off of him. I hope neutering will help with his chewing obsession. He loves the kids' stuffed animals. I've already had to replace one of my daughter's.

Have a great week! Sorry I've been so lax in posting lately. I'll try to post another review of Piper's When I Don't Desire God next. Blessings.