29 Jul 2011

Show no mercy


Q. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?
A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
We were travelling home in the car on Saturday a little after this photograph of a messy but exultant Jemimah posing after winning 'Best and Fairest' on her hockey team was taken. I was explaining to her Daddy that Jemimah was unable to play with her team in the District Lightening Premiership - the major event of the hockey year - because it was being played on a Sunday.

Turning to Jemimah I commented that I didn't think hockey fitted into either the category of necessity or of mercy, bringing to her mind to the words of Question 60 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism that I have quoted above.

"No," she replied, "It's the opposite." Hubby and I looked quizzically at one another. "The opposite?"

"Yep," she glibly replied. "Rule number one on the hockey field is 'Show no mercy!'

She smiled.

Glad I'm not playing against her team.

12 comments:

  1. Good for you! I hope Jemimah is always happy to "keep the Lord's Day holy". Mine have struggled with this over the years but I believe their faithfulness and obedience will be blessed.
    Have a great weekend.

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  2. She's so gorgeous, Jeanne. You know that :)

    J

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  3. hahaha...on you Jemimah! :D

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  4. I can remember not being allow to participate at the inter school sports event because it was being held on a Sunday. I was cross at the time.

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  5. Jeanne,
    I'm so proud of you, Mama! :) And Jemimah is lovely!

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  6. I'm encouraged to see another family willing to honor the Sabbath day. All of our city's sports have games on Sundays and our children have been disappointed at times not to be able to participate. I'm going to show them this so they can see they are not alone.

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  7. Cue "Chariots of Fire" and Eric Liddell politely disagreeing with the Prince of Wales!! NOT ON SUNDAY!

    I refused to join any kid thing that required anything on Sunday other than Sunday School or Church service. Good decision.

    And Jemima: "Get 'em Tiger!" just not on Sunday, ok?? Good girl!

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  8. Wow Jeanne! Once again you have caused me to think deeply. You rock!

    Jemimah- cute as always and fearless to boot! What a great combination!

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  9. What a lovely girl! And a lovely name! I've been enjoying your blog for a few months now... we are also an Australian homeschooling family trying to follow CM method - my eldest is Jemima, aged 9!
    Cheers
    Selena

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  10. How wonderful! And she is quite a "fair" young lady -- just beautiful!

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  11. Encouraging post, thank you. Glad to hear about upholding the Sabbath day. How else does it affect your family? We struggle with this all the time. Especially seeing everyone around us has a different view on the subject.

    Great work Jemimah. God bless your faithfulness.

    Cheers,
    Butter Fly

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