How To Rest

Taking an entire day off on the weekend is not always easy, but with a little foresight and planning it can turn out into the best day of the week. Here are some things I do to prepare for a restful Sabbath day.

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1. Clean Your Home

Start preparing your home for the Sabbath at least one or two days before. If I take my Sabbath day on a Sunday, I start light cleaning as early as Friday. I make sure my bathrooms are clean, my place is vacuumed, and the dishes are washed. That way, when I wake up on Sunday morning, I am waking up to a clean home. I strongly believe a tidy home equals a tidy mind. It is easier to think clearly and to rest when everything is in place. There is no need to worry about tripping over random pairs of shoes near a doorway or deal with the sore sight of a pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen when your home is clean. Please understand that I’m not a perfectionist living in a spot-free home, but I do believe order helps your think more clearly. This does not mean that you won’t find a jacket thrown over a dining room chair on the Sabbath, but my home will be tidier than it usually is during the week. It is all a matter of what “clean” means to you.

2- Prepare your meals

Preparing your meals might mean planning ahead which restaurant you visit, purchasing a special frozen meal to eat on the Sabbath or cooking ahead of time so all you need to do is reheat your meal. It all depends on your budget and energy level. For some people, cooking is their Sabbath. It is their way of relaxing and sharing with others. If so, enjoy! Cook to your heart’s delight while giving God thanks. For others who spend their week cooking, visiting a new restaurant down the block might be more their cup of tea. Do what works for you, just make sure your pace changes and that it doesn’t become a burden.

3- Turn off social media

This is especially important for those who spend their week checking emails and scrolling through social postings. Remember, this is a time of rest and a time to take your eyes off what society wants you to do and turn to God. It is a time to seek God’s leading and to communicate with your Creator. It does not mean you can’t watch a movie, but be careful of what you take in. Make sure that what you watch ushers in rest not more anxiety.

These three steps are not to be followed as strict guidelines but as guideposts to help you enjoy your Sabbath rest. The main point is to have a day to enjoy and to bring you back in the habit of rest as God intended it.