Snail Day

Listening to our bodies and helping others to do the same

When my friend Lisa was going through her cancer treatments over the last few years, she shared daily reflections on Caring Bridge that were amazing in their honesty, lament, faith, hope, and even some humor in the midst.  One thing she shared about often during her treatments were mornings when she woke up and it felt like a “snail day” - a day that her body said it needed to move slowly and also to retreat back into a shell.  This morning as Scout and I walked on drizzly morning, I saw a big snail slowly making its way across the path and I thought of Lisa and I was also feeling a bit snail-ish in my body today as well.  It has been a busy season the last month or so (with a really busy season coming up in May) and as I referenced in my post last night, I’ve been feeling a bit worn the last few days. And when I woke up this morning, it definitely felt like a snail day.

And then I saw this little one as Scout and I walked in the rain!  I did pick it up and moved it to the side of the path so that no one accidentally stepped on it.

Even as I write this, however, I recognize my own privilege that I have in that I have a job that allows me this kind of flexibility - that is not the reality for many.  But for those who work with me at Christ Church, I encourage them with this same thing - if they need a day to just recharge, go for it.  I haven’t used the term “snail day” but I think I might start doing so.  And I encourage you, that if you have employees who you supervise... can you do the same?  Give people space to recharge and renew without having to get into the vagaries of PTO, earned days, etc?  Our bodies, minds, and spirits need this.  The cycle of work and rest is built into the fabric of creation.  The land needs it, the earth needs it, animals need it, we need it.

Yesterday, a pastor I follow on Substack shared a post entitled “Ice Cream at 10am ” and she shared about how sometimes we need to be ok with eating ice cream at 10am and allow ourselves the space for that which fills us.  She wrote:

My friend, I hope for today you give yourself permission to eat something delicious. Treat yourself to a donut, or your favorite smoothie. Get yourself some sushi or fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Whatever it is that fills your belly and your soul - dig in. And know that God delights in your delight!¹

Today for me might not be about going and having a massive sugar bomb snack (although that could happen) but the snail day is a bit of that ice cream at 10am.

Can you do that for yourself?  Do you need a snail day? Can you offer that gift of sabbath rest (snail day) to others as well?

And finally, shortly after the snail, I saw this heart rock...You might need to use your imagination to see it but it’s there...trust me.  :-)

Grace, Peace, Love, and Joy,
Ed

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Kelsey Beebe

1. Ice Cream at 10am