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Sabbath in the Suburbs
by
MaryAnn McKibben Dana (Goodreads Author)
“Life felt like a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle with 600 pieces.” So writes MaryAnn McKibben Dana in the introduction of her book. As she considered her family’s frenetic suburban existence—a relentless list of work, errands, carpool, dishes, e-mail, bills, yardwork—she knew something had to change.
The family faced a choice: to continue at the same frantic pace or to fight back...more
The family faced a choice: to continue at the same frantic pace or to fight back...more
Paperback, First edition, 157 pages
Published
August 1st 2012
by Chalice Press
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From Publishers Weekly:
Dana brings a fresh voice and energy to the familiar topic of time management as understood by people who would describe themselves as either religious or spiritual but not religious: Sabbath-keeping. Bringing the gift of self-awareness and irony, Dana notes that a four-minute difference in school bus rides ought not to prompt a letter-writing campaign from anxious parents. She also brings theological awareness of the historical practice and meaning of Sabbath-keeping. Dan...more
Dana brings a fresh voice and energy to the familiar topic of time management as understood by people who would describe themselves as either religious or spiritual but not religious: Sabbath-keeping. Bringing the gift of self-awareness and irony, Dana notes that a four-minute difference in school bus rides ought not to prompt a letter-writing campaign from anxious parents. She also brings theological awareness of the historical practice and meaning of Sabbath-keeping. Dan...more
This truly is a book [xii] "...for anyone who wants to learn to live at a savoring pace." Inspired by a visit to Iona, PC(USA) pastor MaryAnn McKibben Dana spent twelve months from September 2010 through August 2011 (literally) practicing keeping a weekly sabbatical day with her spouse and their three kids. "Sabbath" means to stop, to cease work and worry; keeping sabbath means bringing life back into balance by living fully and simply in this present, gifted "now," if only for 24 hours, 12 hour...more
I absolutely loved this book. It is the first book about keeping the Sabbath that I have read that takes into account real life with real children. I loved the way the author pressed into finding a way to have Sabbath, even when life and activities weren't cooperating. She never gave up, just kept trying new things. Brilliant.
Here are my personal notes, with page numbers:
15 don't change your environment
18 The imperative voice is very anti-Sabbath
28 Parenting isn't repetitive. It's liturgical.
31...more
Here are my personal notes, with page numbers:
15 don't change your environment
18 The imperative voice is very anti-Sabbath
28 Parenting isn't repetitive. It's liturgical.
31...more
This truly is a book [xii] "...for anyone who wants to learn to live at a savoring pace." Inspired by a visit to Iona, PC(USA) pastor MaryAnn McKibben Dana spent twelve months from September 2010 through August 2011 (literally) practicing keeping a weekly sabbatical day with her spouse and their three kids. "Sabbath" means to stop, to cease work and worry; keeping sabbath means bringing life back into balance by living fully and simply in this present, gifted "now," if only for 24 hours, 12 hour...more
I picked up this book hoping to be able to recommend it to the young families I work with, but I ended up seeing myself in every page. This is the most accessible and honest encounter with sabbath that I have ever read. It is well written, and Dana keeps you turning the pages--both because you quickly become invested in her family's sabbath experiment and because she breaks open sabbath in a way that makes you want to start your own sabbath practice. I don't think you need to be a parent or live...more
What does it mean that God wants our time, specifically one day in every seven?
If you're ever struggled with the concept of Sabbath, this book is for you.
If you've ever thought Sabbath was an impossible abstraction, this is for you!
The author brings us along on her family's journey through a year of keeping the Sabbath, suburban-style. The ups and downs, the ridiculous and the sublime. There is nothing too "holy" about this book, and yet it is touched by the sacred!
Word has it that the author...more
If you're ever struggled with the concept of Sabbath, this book is for you.
If you've ever thought Sabbath was an impossible abstraction, this is for you!
The author brings us along on her family's journey through a year of keeping the Sabbath, suburban-style. The ups and downs, the ridiculous and the sublime. There is nothing too "holy" about this book, and yet it is touched by the sacred!
Word has it that the author...more
I have stacks of books about Sabbath on my bookshelf. As a Christian, I want to better observe the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy; but more than that, as a parent, a working person, a wife, a friend, a technology addict, etc., I long for a different speed of life than the frenetic non-stop sleep-too-little do-too-much pace that has become so prevalent these days. But none of the other books I've read have been nearly as helpful as Sabbath in the Suburbs.
Other books I've read have offered b...more
Other books I've read have offered b...more
I'll admit upfront, I read this book because the author is a dear friend. As a non-theist single guy, I didn't expect it would speak to me. I was surprised when it did. I'm not sure the message I received is the one that was sent, but I learned from it regardless.
The book traces the Dana's one year experiment in keeping the Sabbath. MaryAnn writes about the very real challenge of carving out time each week for this busy family of five and the things they tried that worked and didn't work. This...more
The book traces the Dana's one year experiment in keeping the Sabbath. MaryAnn writes about the very real challenge of carving out time each week for this busy family of five and the things they tried that worked and didn't work. This...more
When I got this book & saw that it was aimed at a "family's" experiment in observing the Sabbath in the Suburbs, I thought, well, I'll read it but not much of it will apply to me. You see, I'm an empty nester & I live in the heart of Washington DC. Was I ever surprised? Of course there are wonderful stories about this young family & their adventures with slowing down for just 1 day a week. Parts of many of the stories made me laugh out loud. I loved the author's honesty about not doi...more
1 like · like · see review
I'm an atheist yet found this book to be an essential guide to life. One doesn't need to believe in a divine Sabbath to understand the essential nature of taking time off from the hectic world we live in. I'd encourage families of all faiths and of no faiths to read and make use of this book's wisdom.
Have you ever wished for a closer relationship with God? Have you wanted to observe the Sabbath, but couldn't figure out how to fit it into your hectic life? This book follows the author and her family on a one year journey as they strive to honor the Sabbath.
This is an excellent book! MaryAnn writes with honesty about her family's experiment of keeping Sabbath for a year. She acknowledges the trials, celebrates the triumphs, and shares how this spiritual practice transforms their thinking and lives in very healthy and wonderful ways! It's a great read and fun to watch this family grow together and grow deeper in their spiritual practice as the year goes along. I highly recommend it!
Written by a preacher but never preachy, this short volume offers a modern take on following Sabbath. The author really understands busy, modern family life, and finds a way of keeping Sabbath that draws her family closer together, while also revitalizing each family member's authentic self.
Are you tired of reading just another Sabbath book that says, "rest, rest, rest" with no concern for the fact that life in the modern age is busy, complext and overscheduled? Then, MaryAnn's book is for you. Fresh, thoughtful and inviting you feel like you are sitting at her kitchen table as you read.
An interesting look at one young family's take on Sabbath. There is much to think about in this little book, even for the non-religious.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Though written by a preacher, I find it refreshing it was never very preachy.
Though written by a preacher, I find it refreshing it was never very preachy.
This is a great book. Practical, funny, and helpful, Dana does not live in some Utopian world where there are no sabbath day soccer matches, play rehearsals or need to go and buy groceries to make lunch tomorrow. She holds up thoughts as to how to preserve a time of togetherness without setting out elaborate frameworks that would never work in the real world.
I don't have kids, but I still found this book to have great insights into keeping a discipline of rest in the week. MMcKD does an artful job of interlacing Jewish and Christian perspectives, while finding with her family their own flexible but deeply intentional way of practicing Sabbath. And how Sabbath can creep into all corners of your life, not just staying relegated to a little weekly corner. Great book.
I received from GoodReads First Reads
Every page is honest. There is no judgment passed, no soap box stood on. Her story invited me to witness her family in an intimate way while preserving family in her own way. The entire memoir is an invitation to consider sabbath in your own way, on hour own terms... With the clear conviction that sabbath is intentional,
A wonderful meditation on sabbath keeping in the midst of real life. The author's struggles are presented honestly enough that they become universal struggles we all have with maintaining spiritual integrity and balance.
Loved it. Very meaningful for me, a overly busy mom of two. I will read it again.
Jun 15, 2013
Mary Gras vance
marked it as to-read
Jun 09, 2013
Travis
is currently reading it
Jun 09, 2013
Jill Ratzan
marked it as to-read
Jun 06, 2013
Erin Raffety
marked it as to-read
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May 04, 2012 09:53am
Sep 14, 2012 08:07am
And if there are errors, to me with the blame :-)
Sep 14, 2012 01:46pm