I am sure there are many of us in the “senior citizen” category who can remember when Sunday was a day of rest, both for saint and sinner. The “saint” used it for a day of worship reflection, and fellowship, both church and family. The “sinner” had no choice but to settle in until the day had passed. Oh, he could still be about some of his mischief, however virtually every business closed its doors on the first day of the week. There were no malls, department stores or convenience stores, so shopping was not an option. Even if these had been in existence in those days, there would still be none open for business.
Shooting fireworks, firing a gun, and fishing on this day was for only the worst of sinners, and in many cases these actions were actually on some of the early law books as being illegal.
With our family, Sunday usually started with an early breakfast. Momma cooked most of the noon meal early in the morning. After breakfast, we readied ourselves for church services. We put on the best clothes we had. Even though they may have had a patch here and there, they were always clean and crisp. Our shoes may have been old and worn but were always polished. We usually left for church each Sunday at around 9:30 AM and returned at around 1:00 PM.
After arriving home from church, Momma would finish up with dinner, after which she would call us to the table. We all sat down, each at his or her place. Our repasts were not eaten in a hurried manner, but were slow and leisurely. “Normal” conversation was welcomed, but laughing or loud talking was never allowed. Many times we would spend an hour or more around the dinner table.
After dinner (in this part of the country it was breakfast, dinner and supper) either my sister or myself would help Momma with the dishes. Any food not eaten at dinner was left on the table, covered by a linen (her best) tablecloth, to be eaten later, usually after we arrived home from the night service at our church.
Sunday afternoons were always leisurely. No one was ever in a hurry or a rush. There was really nowhere we had to be on this day. I can remember that Sundays were usually quiet, except for the occasional car running up or down the road, which would break the silence.
What has happened in the last fifty years? Today most Churchgoers can’t wait until service is over so they can get about their normal daily routine. I know of some who attend the larger churches, who have expressed to me that they would rather go to the early service, so they could “get it over with” and “have the entire day to themselves”. Sunday, or as it was known in years past as “The Lord’s Day” has become just another day to be spent for our pleasure, and of course our pleasure is all that matters today.
Over the years this wonderful day has lost the respect, reverence and importance it once carried. This didn’t happen quickly. Satan doesn’t work that way. He works on the hearts of men very subtlety. A entire society’s (especially a church society) way of thinking cannot be changed overnight. It usually takes one to two generations to move from a staunch biblical standard to a liberal religious belief.
Just for one example: I can remember in the county in which I live, when little league baseball was first introduced to our county parks system. There was concern by many of the church going citizens that if their children joined the teams, they would be required to play on Sundays; taking them away from church. The promise was given by the sponsors and the county itself that this would not happen. And it didn’t…at least not until there were a few rainouts. Then, it seemed, that the only day to make up those games would be on Sunday afternoon. At least no one would be missing church… or at least not until the games outnumbered the fields that were needed to play on. Then there was no other choice but to schedule a couple of games on Sunday morning. The next year it was a little easier to accept this. After all, a game or two didn't disrupt lives all that much, and the children needed a well rounded life and the physical activity was beneficial. With each passing year it became a little easier until today, church services are no longer factored in when scheduling games, especially playoffs, for these kids.
Whatever happened to Sunday? It has now become just another day, except, of course, for the hour or so out of our busy lives that we give to the Lord. But this does not come without expectations on our part. In return we expect His manifold blessings for sacrificing our precious time.
Whatever happened to Sunday? We willfully gave it away, and in return we received nothing but one more day of the week in which to run our legs off. Whether anyone will accept the fact or not God knows what we need more than we do. He knows that we as humans need a day to rest our minds as well as our bodies, but we decided that we do not have the “time“ to do that.
Whatever happened to Sunday? It has been consumed by our own selfishness, and now our children and grandchildren will never experience the peace and quietness that comes through having a day that has been laid aside for rest, and reflection on our Lord from whom all good things are received.
