Choosing Rest: Cultivating a Sunday Heart in a Monday World

by Sally Breedlove, Cynthia Heald

The Bible promises that rest is available to us right now. Jesus can lead us into His presence―and rest―today. This book gives you the tools to cultivate an attitude of rest that will help you remain in Him, even in the midst of our restless lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity, Faith

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[RF · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by my pastor's wife, Sally. Her book is an honest look at how we can choose rest in a world that is full of much disappointment and suffering. I read it at least three times over the summer - it was a true encouragement. There are no simple answers to the complexity and disappointments in life. But this book offered a way to look at life and see redemption and growth and spiritual renewal in the process of walking day by day.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. It reminded me a bit of some of Catherine Marshall's books but both authors words are like balm to the soul. Breedlove weaves scripture with tender words to offer hope in hard places. I underlined a lot, bought one copy each for my mom and sister, and I keep going back to the book for more encouragement.

[Ann Gemmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly - one of the best books I have ever read on the topic of rest and entering into the life God offers His children. One I will return to again and again! I rarely give 5 stars. And while it’s over 20 years old - it shares timeless truth in a beautiful way! Highly highly recommend. So wish I had read this years ago!

[Aimee Kollmansberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last four chapters were worth the whole book. Her tender, truthful words on fear, grief, the dark night of the soul and then a beautiful explanation of the "four gardens" were simple + helpful, compassionate + real, hopeful + practical.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading this with a friend and we've been discussing. The book really does have some great insights and takeaways, but the quaint toner makes it a bit of a snoozer. Best to read when you're sipping your coffee rather than just before bed.

[Lacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly I just wanted this book to be over, but the last two chapters redeemed it somewhat. I especially enjoyed the chapter on living in the darkness. The descriptions of how God can enter your life and help you grow while it seems like He isn’t even around were very thought provoking.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not what I expected. About finding rest, inner peace in many more deeper ways than just getting more sleep and vacations. One of the best devotionals I’ve read in a long time- giving to lots of friends.

[Cece · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book based on biblical rest. This came recommended to me and I would highly do the same for other readers.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The group with which I was reading this agreed that a more accurate title would be Choosing Peace.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and took a lot of notes - really liked the end where she talked about the four different gardens that we enter into to get to true rest

[Leah Wead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely invoked some deep self reflection. I’ll be buying a copy to keep to refer back to- the chapters are so deep and thought provoking!

[Jocelyn Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just incredible. So much depth and wisdom here. More about finding soul rest rather than physical rest. Not what I was expecting content wise, but so much better. Can’t recommend enough!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful examination of what it means to find rest and learn to live in it. I love the subtitle: Cultivating a Sunday Heart in a Monday World. This is a workbook, where the author encourages us, the reader, to identify the elements in our lives that keep us from living in "rest." People, places, grief, sorrow, expectations, noise, busyness, etc. The goal is not to remove oneself from life, but to live more in the presence of the Lord. People talk about "a month of Sundays. That's a long time--thirty of them in fact. But why Sundays? Why not Mondays? Sundays used to represent holy, different days...It was a good day. A month of Sundays strung together would be close to paradise...Could we ever have a heart like that, a heart that lives like it is always Sunday?"
"Here is our challenge: God has a gift for us, a gift that flows from the very life He enjoys. That gift is rest. A rest that frees us from the cycle of endless doing and allow us to take a break. A rest that invites us to join in celebrating all that is good and beautiful. A rest that assures us that everything is really going to be all right, even though everything (from our perspective) is not yet taken care of. A rest that eases our loneliness and allows us to find a true home in God."
I underlined, starred, wrote in the margins. There are many beautiful thoughts here. It is a quiet reassurance that God is at the helm and we are His children whom he desires to bless.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It is not so much about resting with the Lord on Sabbath, in solitude or even that great concept of wasting time with God. The book is about choosing to rest in the circumstances of life, when situations don't change. The book is not long; has good illustrations. I especially like the last part about the 4 gardens. Have notes on this book.

[Jen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly delightful book for the woman who wants to experience heart-rest in a world overflowing with busy-ness. I highly recommend it.