Furniture Retailers decide to close on Sundays

I realize that I have not set out to write a news blog, but this particular article in our local paper caught my attention and I thought it was worthy of including here. If I ever start a news blog, I'll move this post over!

Portland Press Herald reports that "more furniture stores taking Sundays off."

Here's a permanent copy of the article stored at Furl.net.

It's hard to read an article like this and not say, "We told you so!" I remember when blue laws were repealed in Maine. I was only 13 at the time, but I remember discussions in church and the encouragement to vote against the repeal of the laws. I'm sure that all sorts of doomsday predictions were made about what would happen if we failed to legislate Sabbath-keeping. Probably most of those predictions have yet to come true, but this article outlines some of the negative effects of the 1990 legislation.

When that law changed, retailing changed," said Jonathan Young, the president of Young's Furniture in South Portland. "It generally has been the kiss of death to the family."

I have often taught that Sabbath is less of a legalistic requirement, and more of a gift for us. Woven into the creation of the world was a cycle of work and rest, and when we fail to keep that cycle there are consequences--for our bodies, our minds, our families, and our spiritual life. The gift of Sabbath enables us to experience renewal on a regular basis, reconnecting with God, our church family, and our household family.

Stephen Crockett, who owns Crockett Interiors - formerly known as Lake Region Furniture - with his brother Scott, started closing on Sundays two years ago. The stores had been open on those days since 1990, when voters repealed a ban on large stores being open Sundays.

Crockett said he made the change after he surveyed employees, who told him that having Sundays off ranked higher in importance than more pay or longer vacations.

It's truly interesting that the employees recognize this need. In our busy 24/7 culture, we move quickly toward burnout. Our life begins to resemble a ratrace where we work all we can in order to have the most toys. The problem, of course, is that few people ever have a chance to play with those toys, because they are too busy working. Sabbath-rest reminds us of priorities, allowing us to organize our life about those principles which are most important to God and to us.

And, this last quote caught my eye as well. You would think that stores who decided to close on Sunday would suffer. I remember Christian small-business owners being upset in 1990 because they felt that they would have to open their stores simply in order to keep up in a competitive market. While this may be true in some market segments, it doesn't seem to bear out in the furniture market:

Pierce said he was willing to take a hit on sales in order to close on Sundays, but added that revenues have not dropped in the last five months.

"I don't think it's affected me at all," he said, "except I have a lot happier life."

Good for Pierce! I commend him for his decision, as well as the other stores who have made the same decision. Whether or not you keep Sabbath for religious purposes, there is a recognition that regular weekly rest is important to individuals and to our culture.

I am reminded that God is not a harsh task-master creating rules in order to oppress His creation. Instead, He is a loving Father, who creates rules for our benefit, in order that we might lead a healthy, balanced life. May we seek to follow His guidelines for life!

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon