I emailed my aunt telling her all of our activities over the weekend. She graciously replied, asking, “What about the Sabbath?” At the time, I was a mom to four very young children who required diaper changes, food, clean laundry, and attention so they didn’t get into trouble. I had to use every moment available in the week to stay afloat. But as I’ve thought about her question through the years, I realize that God’s 4th Commandment wasn’t just for the Israelites. God is commanding even a mom of littles to rest. Is this even possible?
The Purpose of the Sabbath
The Old Testament provides the inception and of Sabbath rest. Even in God’s creation narrative, we see a pattern of work and rest, with God resting on the seventh day. However, this wasn’t because God was tired or in need of rest. Instead, it was a time for God to delight in His creation. This serves as a model for us to pause, reflect, and enjoy the fruits of our labor. God reaffirmed the importance of the Sabbath in the 10 commandments, instructing His people to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.”
As we reflect on the biblical foundations of the Sabbath, it’s enlightening to consider Melanie’s perspective shared in the podcast episode.
God’s heart behind the 10 Commandments is His care for us. He created us, knows us intimately, and understands what’s best for us. Looking at the 4th Commandment to Sabbath as God’s good for us helps us gain a proper understanding of the Sabbath. It is not God’s command for us to stop work, just to pause. There’s a good purpose for the pause from your job, busyness, and day-to-day routine. When you rest in the Lord, think about Him, worship Him, and read your Bible, it causes you to depend on Him in a whole new way.
Embracing the Freedom of the Sabbath
Understand that God created us to work. Colossians 3:23, “Work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord.” Adam was put in charge of the garden to care for it and the animals. But God did not mean for us to work without rest. He also knows that work can quickly become an idol.
Scripture doesn’t give us a list of do’s and don’ts for 21st Century Sabbath. Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we are no longer under the law of the Old Testament. We have freedom in Christ to replace our fear of getting it “wrong.” Finding a Sabbath routine that works for your family will require adjustments through each season of parenting.
Observing the Sabbath isn’t about adhering to rigid rules. Guided by prayer, and a heart open to God’s leading, it’s about finding what works for you and your family. Whether by setting aside a specific day of the week or finding pockets of rest amidst daily activities, the goal is to create a rhythm that honors God, nourishes our souls, and balances work with rest.
Practical Tips and Sabbath Activities for Families
Here are some ideas for how to spend a Sabbath:
- Attend church
- Enjoy a hike
- Exercise with a jog or bike ride
- Enjoy a family movie
- Visit a local, State, or National Park
- Have a picnic
- Make cookies or snack mix together and deliver some to a neighbor
- Take a nap
- Invite missionaries into your home
- Read together or individually
- Plant flowers
- Have a bonfire and roast S’mores
- Read the Bible and pray
- Visit the elderly or volunteer
- Get together with family or friends
- Listen to worship music
- Play a game (See a list of our favorite games)
- Go on a scenic drive and enjoy God’s creation
- Put together a puzzle
Ways a Busy Mom Can Sabbath Rest
I get it. There. Is. So. Much. Work. To. Be. Done.
As moms, we’re often caught up in a whirlwind of activities and responsibilities, making rest hard to prioritize. But what if I told you that I am learning to see the Sabbath as a way to bring balance, peace, and a deeper connection with God?
During Bible study a few weeks ago, a friend shared a beautiful analogy. She and her husband tithe, giving back to God as a demonstration of trust in His provision for their needs. She explained that rest on the Sabbath is the same. We give God a seventh of our week with the understanding that He will provide us with the time and energy to accomplish what we need to do in six days. By choosing to release tasks that need to be done on the Sabbath, I am trusting God to provide the time for me to complete them later.
Here are some ideas to carve out time to rest on the Sabbath:
- Prep simple meals the day before (e.g. cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, soup in the crock pot)
- Silence cell phones
- Make sure the dishwasher is empty to easily add dishes during the Sabbath
- Choose activities that are different from your normal routines (e.g. mental work vs. manual labor)
- Prepare your home the day before to avoid feeling overwhelmed on the Sabbath (e.g. gather trash, sweep, pick up toys)
- Let go of little messes and focus on the purpose of the Sabbath
- Mentally prepare through prayer, remembering the gift of the Sabbath
Understanding the Heart of Sabbath Choices
As I make decisions about how to spend my Sabbath, I ask myself, ‘Will this activity help me enjoy the Lord and His blessings, or can it wait until tomorrow?” Most of the time the laundry can wait. But sometimes I fold a load because a child gets sick. Most of the time the dishes can wait. But sometimes we do the dishes together as a family. Most of the time simple meals are enough. But sometimes I make a meal for a family who is experiencing a hard situation. This is a work in progress for me as choosing wisely on the Sabbath isn’t second nature for me.
In conclusion, honoring Sabbath rest isn’t about a set of rules; it is a gift from God. Determining how to honor God during this time will require prayer and trial and error. I encourage you to look at the motives of your heart in your activities. Ask yourself, “Can I trust God’s provision of time and energy over the span of six days, enabling me to rest on the seventh?”
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Please leave a comment on the blog or social media. Or connect with me on LiveChat.
