A new day. What will you write?

Today is a new day.

Every day is a new day. We are new every day. Every week is a new opportunity to do something and write something awesome! What are your plans?

The past couple of weeks provided me with lots of introspective time. I’ll be changing some of writing focus. But, that topic is for a later. The key is how did I come to that decision? Here’s the story.

My family is going through some health battles. I’m the caregiver for both my aging parents. My husband has also been going through some health battles. With all the outpouring of my love to help them, I’ve been trying to be more mindful to take care of myself.

The past couple of weeks, my self-care has been more time away from digital devices, and more time writing in my journal. If you follow me on Facebook, you know I’ve been trying to spend my Sundays with a focus of “Sabbath.” I don’t think it’s ironic that God put a book before me about rest at the exact moment when he knew it was time I rested in him.

What is Sabbath and rest?

What has Sabbath and rest been like?  It’s easier to tell you what it’s not been like.  Sabbath hasn’t been about going to church more. We attend and serve in the small, country church I was raised in. By small, I mean our little congregation runs about 20 if everyone shows up on the same Sunday. But, since my hubs and I, in our low fifties, are the youngest ones in the crowd. We minister to a congregation of older folks.  We laugh together, because if they had their way, we would take out the pews, and install rocking chairs.

Our church is so small we don’t have morning Bible Studies, or an evening or mid-week service.  We adopted the “prairie” lifestyle. One service a week. Those that can make it to worship service have a wonderful time worshiping the Lord.

I tell you all that because we conduct the service, and then our day is free. So, we have ample opportunity to stuff the day with ‘more church.’ But, that’s not what Sabbath and Rest are for me.

Sabbath and rest are about doing tasks with more mindfulness. I enjoy those I’m around with the full capacities of all my senses.  It’s also about less screen time, and that means screens of all sizes. I also spend more time writing, but not writing on any specific project, with no specific endgame. On Sabbath I release myself from reading or writing goals. It’s about a spirit and mindset of allowing myself to rest about all things. This means I try to have breakfast, lunch and dinner easy, or already prepared.

Sabbath and Rest for me:

I’m still figuring out for me what the perfect time of Sabbath and Rest should be like. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

I’m more attentive when with my husband and those around me.

I participate in activities with more mindfulness and enjoy the ‘whole body’ experience.

My prayer time is deeper.

I’m writing more in my journal about introspective spiritual things.

What are your feelings about Sabbath and rest?  I know for me, being a preacher’s kid and a preacher’s wife, Sunday (Sabbath) has always been a ‘holy day.’  But, at this season in my life, I have a different mindset than I’ve ever had. Maybe it’s because in this season of life, I crave rest more than ever before. And I know that for me, my rest starts with the day God rested.

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2

What about you? Do you crave rest? I pray you find your way and your source to give your heart, mind, body and soul the rest you need! What do you do? I would love to know ways you incorporate ‘rest’ into your life.

If you’re interested in the book that started my Sabbath journey, here it is. I highly recommend it!

More posts about rest

Spiritual Survival in a Changing World- Woman At Rest series

Be still my soul when God calls you to a season of rest