The Soul's Sabbath

I haven't had more than a month of vacation in six years.

I finally took a (much needed) break from touring and traveling, for two months. A lot of that has been to be home with my wife as we prepared to welcome our newborn son, Conor, into the world. He was born on August 1st, and since then, I haven't really slept much! But it's been an amazing, recharging time: for my marriage, and for my own heart.

In this instance, I am so disappointed in the criticism of both the President and the House of Representatives. One of America's many illnesses that it is struggling with right now is a "24-7" work week mentality, and that strikes a huge blow to the heart of family. All families, of all sizes, need time to rest; specifically from work, so that you remember who you are. We are not defined by our jobs; we are defined by our love.

In either a year and a half, or in 5 1/2 years, President Obama will still be married, and still have two daughters. He will have the rest of his life to meditate on the leadership and decisions he made in his tenure as President; and in regards to his personal life, he will have to ask, like we all will, "Have i honored the sacred commandment to rest?"

I hope that in the weeks to come, critics of such things would stop and remember this truth, as they work so diligently to find solutions to the larger economic and political problems we face. Who knows - maybe the ideas and vision for the future won't come in the middle of the night at the oval office, but standing at the shores, staring at the ocean, for a moment, to breathe.

By Matt Maher  |  August 17, 2011; 6:07 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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