Rhythm

Out of curiosity I drove around town on Sunday to see which businesses were open.

Pathmark (open). Eastern Beer Distributors (open). Michael's Restaurant (open). Glenside Post Office (closed). Wachovia bank (closed). Hollywood Video (open). Granny's Sewing Den (closed). Mattress Giant (open). Sally's Beauty Shop (open). SEPTA ticket office (closed). Hollywood Tans (open). Dovetail Artisans (closed). CVS (open). Giancarlo Upholstery (closed). Away We Go Travel (closed). Keswick Jewelers (closed). Orthodontics (closed). NAILS (closed). Beaver Opticians (closed). Taste of Philly (open).

I remember when our family furniture store crossed the Rubicon and started opening Sundays --- because the competition was opening on Sundays. I expected that was the camel's nose under the tent, and that in a few decades there would be absolutely no visible difference between the sun rotation cycles ---- just one endless day.

It never quite happened. And the fact that it didn't is instructive to me. Something there is in man that wants this rhythm of one in six, work and rest. Even when people try to declare independence from their Creator, they can't seem to wrest free completely of who they are created to be.

"Six days you shall labor and do all your work…." (Exodus:9).