“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall do no work……” Exodus 20:8-10

Mommas, the last week has seemed more like a month. Previously held ‘knowns’ now seem like shifting sand. We are working to keep our kids active (or at least occupied!), our shelves filled, our parents healthy and our own mental health somewhat intact. I know many of you are weary.

It seems even amidst the world’s abrupt slowdown, there is still much for us to do, plan, prepare, and adjust. In this time of uncertainty, I encourage us to rest. To pause. To remember the instructions given in the Old Testament- to sabbath.

Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word shabbat (pronounced shuh-baat), meaning “to rest from labor.” I love saying that word. Shabbat. Roll it around in your mind. Say it out loud a few times. Doesn’t it sound important. Meaningful.

Shabbat. Sabbath.

Sabbath is first mentioned in the creation story in Genesis, when God sets aside time to rest. The Creator of heaven and earth blessed the seventh day and made it holy. Later, it is given to Moses as one of the Ten Commandments. I do pretty well at many of the commandments.

Thou shall not murder. Check.

Thou shall not steal. Check.

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Hmmmmmmm………….

Like some of you, I often find it hard to pause and rest. I used to think of taking a day off as a waste of productivity in a life where much needs to be done. Always. But as I’ve chosen to slow down, I’ve been surprised at what God has allowed me to accomplish in the other six days. And regardless of how I want to view it, it’s a commandment!

As we head into our weekend, I encourage you to give thought to how you and your family are going to rest on the Sabbath. Will you join together for online service? Will you enjoy God’s creation with a nature walk? Will you set aside technology for the day?

Can you prepare food the day before so you don’t have to fix meals on the day you choose to rest? Can you find a place to sit and listen to beautiful music or write or create or allow God to present you with whatever else He has in store?

Challenge- Make a list of what honoring the Sabbath will look like for you and your family. Establish some new habits this weekend that allow you to honor the Sabbath and rest.

Lord, thank you for not simply suggesting we rest, but actually making it a commandment. You know we are unable to work endlessly without catastrophic results to our mind, body and spirit. Thank you for protecting us in this way. Help us as we establish new ways to honor the Sabbath.