I use to hear about a sabbath practice and think “that must be reserved for some Bible scholar, and not me… a mostly SAHM of four little ones.” And yet it wasn’t very long that I realized that the sabbath is not only available for everyone, but is a necessary spiritual discipline for all.
When we first started, I didn’t sit down and announce to our children that we were starting a sabbath practice. But I did however start to incorporate slowly some of the distinct components I knew would benefit our family in the long run.
For many, you may be thinking that to practice the sabbath you must shut down your phones, shut out the world, and seek solitude in hopes you connect with God in some way. And I get that, I did too! For some, that may be what their practice looks like- but for us in this season of life, it isn’t.
Ours currently includes:
some form of rest, reconnecting with our selves (and God) through nature, worship and play, and setting time a part from our normal busy day to day activities to simply slow down.
Why does the Sabbath matter? Well, because it is a day where we can closely walk and practice the ways of Jesus. When the Pharisees critiqued Jesus and his followers for how they spent their Sabbath, Jesus replied, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). It is not about rigid rules and things you can’t do; it is about creating space for 24 hours to recharge, restore and recalibrate.
The sabbath is a gift to us, from our very Creator. Whether you choose to accept that gift is up to you.
So what does our sabbath look like with four young children? Well, it isn’t always the same, but the rhythm tends to be.
Friday night after my older girls get home from school we order pizza and wait for the ice cream truck to arrive while we play outside with neighbors. Once the sun starts to set we usually do a quick “pool bath” which for those of you who don’t live in South Florida, simply means a dip in the pool which counts as that evening’s bath time! We then turn on a family movie and snuggle up before calling it a night. Simple, right? That’s because it is!
Saturday mornings are slow. I usually make some muffins and a plate of fruit. I turn on worship music and light a candle. I spend some time in the Word and I don’t do any of my normal “work” around the house. I tidy as we go but I let the laundry and bigger house chores/projects wait for another day. The kids wake when they are ready and they do what children know how to do best with each other when they have time to do so (play). We then make our way outside for some fresh air, have an easy lunch in or out together, and later that afternoon have what I call “hobby time.” This is simply time dedicated for each of us to do what we love… maybe play the guitar, read a book, build with blocks, make a beaded bracelet, etc. I tuck my phone away for most of the day and to be honest, I really don’t miss it. Still simple, right?
Now you may be wondering what we do if we had a morning event or activity scheduled? Well some weekends, we do. We are not a family living in a monastery! When something comes our way we simply swap for a sabbath practice on Sunday. I will add however– as the gatekeeper of the schedule for our family, I am very conscious about what we schedule outside the home on the weekends for this very reason. I say “no” a lot. Our weekends aren’t filled with a bunch of birthday parties or athletic games or running errands or playing catch up. Yes, on occasion we still do these things, but they are very limited because we make room for the sabbath.
In a world that pressures us to hustle, rewards us for spreading ourselves thin, and encourages us to keep ourselves and our kid’s busy– practicing the sabbath is very counter cultural. And I think that is the point.
We as Christians are called to be in the world, but not of it. Part of being set apart as followers of Christ will be doing what Christ believed to be in important and not what the world deems as such. The sabbath isn’t just a suggestion, but a command. This certain day isn’t just about limiting what you do, it is about swapping out what you do. Making space for what matters by removing some of what doesn’t. It is one small day that gives you time to revere the One who makes the rest of the week possible.
The sabbath has already blessed our family so much. We rest, reconnect, play together, eat, laugh, and enjoy doing things we love. We dance, pray, cuddle, work on a craft, or lay in the grass. And on the weekends where our sabbath gets cut short or I over schedule us and it doesn’t happen, we can all feel it. We are all a bit more irritated, rushed and ungrateful– as if we just can’t catch our breath.
I want to breathe, you?
I hope this post encourages you to begin somewhere. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It doesn’t have to be extreme. Try it and let me know?
Consider not what it will take away from your family, but all that it will add.
Two of my favorite books that dive a bit deeper in to this are:
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and The Celebration of Discipline.
Devotional Reading Plan
Core values are the foundation of life—shaping your thoughts, emotions, and actions. If you don’t know your values, you risk acquiring others’ beliefs and behaviors. Identify your core values, and take steps towards fostering healthy habits that reflect your new identity in Christ. Begin to positively impact others, and write a purposeful legacy in this five-day reading plan adapted from my book, Loyal to a Fault.