Sabbath - every stage and phase
In two weeks I'm going to Florida on vacation (I know, we are insane). We've rented a house with a pool, have some beach days planned with some other two-year old appropriate activities but most of all we are just plain getting away. Whatever you call it; vacation or just a relocation we all need some beach time right?It has been a really long time since we have had a vacation, I mean like a real go-somewhere-other-then-the-city-we-live-in vacation. I don't know about you all but when the idea of going to a hotel for the night passes through my mind my first thought is usually something like"what's the point, there will be no sleep and cranky kids so let's just do day trips instead". There's nothing wrong with that, especially in the phase and stage we are in, but it's not really a vacation, its more of a "staycation" with an after thought of what's the point.Sabbath is a super important word in my world. We are told by our bosses all the time to take time for ourselves, care for ourselves, remember to take a sabbath and a day off. You see, in my line of work we don't really have office hours or a set schedule. We have office work to do with programs at all times of the day, business, errands, emergencies and most weekends we are working and "doing" Sunday so those questions from our bosses are legit - we need to remember to rest. But with two kids and a house to manage on top of everything else rest doesn't really seem doable. But it's important so how so we integrate it into our lives?Well going to Florida helps...kinda. But that is not something I can do every week, month, or even year really. So how do I bring the beach to my everyday life and get that feel of rejuvenating in the midst of wiping bums, cleaning up orange juice, being on call all night and holding a full-time job. Here's what I figured out;
Don't stress over it
The worst thing we can do in life, especially as moms, is be too hard on ourselves. You know, those moments when we feel completely sub par because the laundry baskets are over flowing, your feet stick to the floor and you completed vegged out while the babies napped instead of being productive. It's ok. Don't be so hard on yourself, especially when it comes to scheduling and Sabbath. If you stress over getting your Sabbath in during the week then your kinda missing the point of Sabbath. It's going to take a while to find what works and what doesn't and your even going to miss some weeks because, well life. But that's ok, figure out the natural rhythm of life and find your Sabbath.
Figure out what brings you joy
When people think Sabbath they think turn off everything electronic find a large field and sit in it. Sound fun? That actually sounds kind of tortuous to me and would bring me no rest or joy whatsoever. There are no specific rules or regulations on "How to Sabbath" because we are all made so differently. Maybe you are in the phase and stage of life where you can be completely alone for a period of time and literally rest, maybe you are surrounded by children all the time. Maybe music is your thing, reading, gardening, baking (nope), being outside, curling up on the couch, doing crafts, yoga, working out, writing, and so on and so on. Get my point? Find what brings you joy (not happiness) real joy and get that into your life rhythms.
Prepare for the rest
I am the type of person that cannot really do anything productive if I see a mess, a spill, dog hair or something shiny. I really have to be intentional and prepare to concentrate on anything. So if I am trying to Sabbath for a full 24 hours then I really need to be prepared. What does that look like? Well for me that means grocery shopping is down, meal planning/prep is in place for the week, laundry done (or at least mostly), house cleaning complete, no pressing assignments for work and life is in a general sense of order. This is why (for us) Sabbath is a Thursday night to Friday night kind of thing for us. By the end of the week (hopefully) I have those to do lists done and house in some sort of order so for the next 24 hours I can be intentional about resting.
Do it
Finally just do it. Best case scenario for us. Thursday night phones are away (check once or twice for emergencies), check lists are done and I am ready for a rest. Friday morning we wake up and bring Maverick to school, usually go for breakfast together come home and relax together and separately (especially during Asher's nap time), we do are little things that bring us joy pick up Maverick and then have some intentionally family time (usually pizza and a movie). It's nothing special. Sometimes it doesn't work but we try to do it and try to rest in the peace of God knowing that He will sustain us for the days to come.Sabbath, that commandment we all ignore, super important and there for a reason. Don't do it all in your own strength - what's the point when you don't have to. Know that God wants you to be rejuvenated every week and feel like you have just a few minutes on a beach so that you can continue to do His work. So go Sabbath friends, find your rhythms and add this important element into your lives!