Basking

Okay . . . I admit it.  For years I have envied my dogs’ ability to discover the gift of a moment.  To be present in an opportunity.  I have envied, but more importantly admired their ability and willingness to carpe diem—“seize the moment”.

This epiphany came unexpectedly as I was sitting in my recliner.  Quinn, our mini-Dachshund, was cuddled in my lap snoozing away . . . enjoying the warmth of my lap and the sun shining through the picture window.  She was basking in the warmth of it all.  Basking . . . to lie exposed to warmth and light for relaxation and pleasure.  She looked so comfortable, so peaceful, so oblivious to the outside world . . . some sort of blissful nirvana.  She looked asleep.  In that moment of recognition, I realized that I was jealous.  Jealous of my canine’s ability to bask.

 

Of course, the envy was ridiculous on my part.  Ever since retiring it has been difficult to let loose a lifetime habit based on a schedule of labor.  A month into retirement I find it difficult to relax, let loose, and just be in the moment.  I no longer have a schedule dictating my waking moments.  I no longer must be anywhere.  I am no longer responsible for people or projects.  I am not obligated.  I realize that but it is hard to let go of hard-wired habits.  Freedom was there.  I can do whatever I want within the boundaries set by my spouse.  So, pretty much, I was free.  Free to even bask if I want.

 

The epiphany didn’t end with a realization of my envy . . . no, it ended with an ironic awareness that lying back in my recliner, sun coming through the window warmly, caressing my body . . . I was basking!  In fact, I have been basking for a week or two now.  Lying back, pup in lap, relishing the sun’s warmth.  For a couple of weeks now the sun’s light has been shining through and perfectly striking my chair bathing it in soothing warmth.  And I have been basking.

 

Basking . . . it is wonderful!  Lying there in the sunshine, soaking in the warmth, and relaxed.  I’d roll over on my back, but I’m already there.  I’d pull my shirt up to expose my belly, but there would be those who oppose . . . in particular, my wife . . . that’s going too far.  It would be nice though if someone would rub my belly like I rub my dogs’.  Ain’t going to happen.  So, I bask. What I have noticed from observing my dogs is that a good bask results in a state of sleep.

 

Sleeping . . . the ultimate state of basking.  It is true.  The art of basking provides moments of blissful sleep when done right.  I saw it with my dogs and experienced it for myself.  Can’t complain about it because it is wonderful to catch a few Zs in the warmth of sunshine.  The pups know it and I now know it.

 

Unfortunately, the bliss of basking is short-lived—at least for me.  Apparently in a recliner I am both a restless and noisy napper.  I guess I’m not as relaxed as I think I am.  My legs twitch and wiggle.  I snore.  I always have whenever I am sleeping on my back.  It really doesn’t bother me.  Quinn, our mini-Dachshund, on the other hand, finds this annoying.  She lifts her head, stares at me with a look that says, “What the hell!”  Kind of messes up her basking.  Mine, too.  Now I am self-conscious.  Embarrassed.  For me, the basking is done . . . pups come first.

 

But I’ll take it.  Though short in duration it is worth the self-conscious embarrassment brought on by a ten-pound wiener dog.  Basking is wonderful and I should have been practicing it my whole life.  Everyone should bask.  Everyone should lay, exposed to the warmth and light of the sun.  It is relaxing.  It is pleasurable.  Comforting.  Peaceful.  Calming.  A wonderful respite from the craziness of the world we live in.

 

In the future, as we transition through the seasons, do not be alarmed if I move my basking around from the recliner in the living room to the rocker on the deck to the laying in the backyard grass . . . tummy exposed. Waiting.  Waiting for someone to come and rub my tummy.  Nirvana at its best.  It works for my pups . . . so why not me?      

 

Sleeping in Church

It was with a loud squeal of the pipe organ that the organist accidentally woke up the congregation from their naps.  I felt bad for the lady as she was not our usual organist--she had retired from that years ago and only substituted when we needed her--after all she was in her mid-70s!  It was a warm morning and the air was heavy as the congregation listened to me preach . . . and preach . . . and preach.  The organist sat dutifully at the organ waiting for that moment when it was her turn to play the next hymn, but she was fading fast.  Like a bobble-head doll one could see nodding until she suddenly went down--head first!  Her head landed on the keyboard with a squawk of noise--loud noise!  It woke everyone up from the sermon induced naps.

Napping in church is nothing new--there is even a passage in the New Testament which tells the story of the Apostle Paul preaching on and on until a young man fell asleep, fell out the window perch he was sitting in, and died.  Luckily the organist was more embarrassed than hurt and no one died, but it did wake a lot of folks up from their naps.  Napping in church is one of the oldest traditions in the church!

One of the reasons I went into the ministry was because I figured that if I was going to have to sit in a crowded room and listen to preaching I might as well listen to the drone of my own voice than someone else.  Also, by being the preacher it makes me have to stay awake during the service.  How often have you ever seen a preacher fall asleep during his or her sermon?  See, being the preacher means you cannot partake in the ritual of napping.  Because of that I try to keep my yawning to those songs in which the congregation cannot tell whether I am yawning or singing.  There is nothing worse than a preacher sleeping in church:

I have no problems with people sleeping in church--they are just doing what I wish I could do.  I do not get offended if I hear the occasional snore--they probably need the rest, and besides, I see it as a form of ministry I can provide the congregation.  What I do tell congregations is that if they do fall asleep during worship to remember to utter the word "AMEN" upon waking up.  This will make the people around them think that they were in deep prayers.  How to explain the snoring--Holy Spirit!

As I stated though, I have no problem with people sleeping through the worship service.  In fact, napping might do more for those individuals than a sermon--might be more beneficial in the long run.  At least if I am reading the literature correctly--napping is good for a person.  According to an article Inc. (http://www.inc.com/articles/201108/sleeping-on-the-job-should-your-employees-take-naps.html) napping can boost one's productivity and efficiency, make one healthier, and actually live longer--a short five to ten minute nap can do that.  It can even make one happier and more bearable to be around--that is every preacher's dream!

Having read this article I now have the evidence I need to actually encourage folks to "come to church and nap with us!"  It will be a new form of evangelism--Nap Evangelism.  Instead of giving visitors fancy coffee cups with a picture of the church on the side, we'll give out embroider pillows to assist in the napping.  We can remove the pews and put in Lazy-Boy recliners and couches--anything to draw the drowsy in.  For those traditionalists we can create a sleeping room or divide the sanctuary into "sleeping" and "non-sleeping" areas.  Whatever the case, we can be hospitable and accommodating towards our tired friends.  You see, a whole new frontier for ministry!

I imagine if I had had this ministry back when the guest organist had fallen asleep and hit her head on the keyboard of the organ she would not have been so embarrassed.  I would have done my job--I put another one to sleep for the glory of God!  Need rest?  Then come to your local church.  I invite you to take part in this exciting new ministry--whether it is at the church I serve or some other church.  I promise you I will do my part--I'll preach!  And all God's people said: Amen!