STOP

On this 12th day of February, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, and formerly a holiday, now combined in our overbearing efficiency and need for another "long weekend" with Washington's birthday into One holiday, our readings call attention to an even more fundamental need for weekly Sunday rest, so that indeed we can enjoy this "Wonderful World" as described in the Genesis Creation Story (Gn 1:20-2:4a) and with the Psalmist's praise God for his magnificent handiwork.(Ps 8).
O Lord our God,
How wonderful (awesome) is your name through all the earth!
When I behold the moon and the stars which have set in place--
What is man that  you should be mindful of him
or the son of man that you should dare for him? (Ps 8: 2, 4-5)
These verses alone call attention to what we take for granted because of our frenetic busyness.
We are missing the opportunity to see things in perspective, and the nudge to slow down and take advantage of our short time on this magnificent planet.  Let us take time to wonder at the beauty of falling snow (not worry about shoveling or how to get to work)...or the peace of a spring day with birds again singing from greening branches.  So much is there, we need to STOP and take it in.\
Bro. Rene