Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World

by Shelly Miller

This is how I’m preparing for a successful Sabbath this week: I went grocery shopping last night for easy meals from sundown on Saturday to sundown on Sunday. This may not sound like a big deal, but I rarely grocery shop at night. I know some of you may choose another day; it doesn’t matter. I’m making a Crock-Pot meal on Saturday for dinner that will (hopefully) provide leftovers on Sunday. Unless they gobble it all up, in which case we’ll order pizza. I’m pre-scheduling my weekend blog post and turning off all social networking sites beginning at sundown tomorrow. This is harder than just flipping a switch or clicking on tabs to close them, let me tell you. And I’m not doing anything that involves creating more work for me. No emails, no taking notes for a Bible study while I read, no writing blog posts, no grocery lists or organizing closets. So when I have a nudge to do something productive, I’m asking myself, “Is this necessary?” This takes some major restraint, and my husband is keeping me focused. I’m not trying to create legalism. This is a discipline for me that will hopefully become a habit.