Sunday - Closed...

Jamaica. Our favorite winter vacation spot. I've written several posts about this beautiful island. If you're so inclined, you can read a similar post here or another here and here or here.

We try to visit our happy place once a year and this year we were blessed to find ourselves there again. Our week was absolutely amazing, not to mention relaxing. Jamaica has a way of cleansing our bodies, souls and minds. And each year I find I can learn much about life from our wonderful Jamaican friends.

Our must-stay place is The Hibiscus Lodge, a spectacular small hotel, set on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is situated on acres of lush gardens just steps from the hustle and bustle of Ocho Rios. The serene gardens are in sharp contrast to the horn-honking, music-blaring streets of the city. To step outside the gate of the hotel is like stepping into another world.

The streets of Ocho Rios are filled bumper to bumper with cars, buses and route taxis. The sidewalks are crammed with foot traffic. Workers and students make their way to work and school. Vendors and panhandlers beckon for attention. Six days a week, the streets look like this:

 Six days of hustle. Six days of noisy bustle.

But on Sundays, the streets look like this:

Streets are empty. Shops are closed.

In sharp contrast, churches are full. Gospel music permeates the air.

Jamaicans are hard workers. Many work twelve to sixteen hour days, six days a week. Many walk to work. Many find creative ways to travel miles to work. And yet on Sunday, they rest. They worship.

If only Americans could turn back time. Back to a time when Sunday stood apart. As a day to rest. A day to worship. Ah, but we've followed our pocketbooks. We've followed our desires. We need to shop seven days a week. We can't be inconvenienced.

Jamaicans may be poor as measured monetarily, but don't be deceived. Jamaicans are wealthy beyond belief. Their belief makes them rich beyond measure.

Thank you, Jamaica, for the lesson. We would be wise to learn from you.

Ya mon!

“‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.  Leviticus 23:3