Reclaiming Sabbath Rest: What It Looks Like for Our Family

The Day We Were Too Busy for God

It hit us one Sunday when we realized we'd rushed through church, eaten lunch in the car, and spent the afternoon running errands and doing chores. We collapsed into bed exhausted, wondering where the "day of rest" had gone.

That's when we decided to reclaim Sabbath for our family.

What is Sabbath?

Sabbath isn't just "going to church" - it's a full day set apart for:

Rest - Ceasing from our regular work
Worship - Focusing on God
Delight - Enjoying God's gifts
Relationships - Connecting with family

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." - Exodus 20:8-10

Our Sabbath Rhythm

We chose Sunday as our Sabbath day. Here's what it typically looks like:

Morning

Sleep in a little (no alarms!)
Leisurely breakfast together
Church worship service
Fellowship time with our church community

Afternoon

Simple lunch (often leftovers or takeout - no cooking!)
Family rest time - everyone gets quiet time
No screens, no homework, no chores

Evening

Nature walk or gentle family activity
Special Sabbath dinner by candlelight
Family devotion and prayer
Early bedtime

What We DON'T Do on Sabbath

We've agreed as a family to avoid:

Shopping (groceries done Saturday)
Homework
Housework and chores
Work emails and calls
Social media scrolling
Rushing

What We DO on Sabbath

We focus on activities that:

Restore our souls
Bring us joy
Connect us to God
Build family bonds

Our favorites:

Board games
Reading books
Baking together
Art projects
Playing in the yard
Napping!

The Kids' Perspective

At first, the kids resisted: "But I NEED to finish my project!" "My friend invited me over!" "Can't I just play one video game?"

Now? They protect Sabbath fiercely. Our 8-year-old recently said, "I can't do that on Sunday - it's our rest day!"

The Benefits We've Experienced

After six months of practicing Sabbath, we've noticed:

More peace - The week doesn't feel as chaotic
Better connection - We actually talk to each other
Renewed energy - Monday doesn't feel as hard
Spiritual growth - We have time to focus on God
Gratitude - We appreciate our blessings more

It's Not Legalism, It's Freedom

Sabbath isn't about rigid rules - it's about finding freedom from the tyranny of productivity. It's trusting that God will provide for us even when we stop working.

Some Sundays look different - visitors, special events, unavoidable situations. That's okay. God gives us grace.

Starting Your Own Sabbath Practice

Start small:

Choose one day
Pick one thing to stop doing
Add one restful activity
Evaluate and adjust

You don't have to do it perfectly. Just start somewhere.

An Invitation to Rest

In a world that glorifies busyness, Sabbath is counter-cultural. It's a weekly reminder that:

Our worth isn't in our productivity
God is the provider, not us
Rest is holy, not lazy
We were made for more than just work

Know God in the stillness. Love God by trusting His provision. Serve God by modeling healthy rhythms to our kids.

Does your family practice Sabbath? We'd love to hear how you rest together!