“Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest.  Because we do not rest, we lose our way.”

“Sabbath is a way of being in time where we remember who we are, remember what we know, and taste the gifts of spirit and eternity.”

“We must have a period in which we lie fallow, and restore our souls.”

“Sabbath time is time off the wheel, time when we take our hands from the plow and let God and the earth care for things, while we drink, if only for a few moments, from the fountain of rest and delight.”

“It is the presence of something that arises when we consecrate a period of time to listen to what is most deeply beautiful, nourishing, or true.”

“It was not Israel that kept the Sabbath, it is said, but the Sabbath kept Israel.”

“Once people feel nourished and refreshed, they cannot help but be kind; just so, the world aches for the generosity of a well-rested people.”

(All quotes taken from the book Sabbath: Finding rest, renewal, and delight in our busy lives by Wayne Muller)

Until recently, I thought the Sabbath was all about going to church on Sunday mornings.  That’s pretty much it.

I’ve always gone to church, but honestly, my soul has never felt completely at rest.  I have always rushed through my weekends just as I rush through my week.  I took time out of my schedule to attend church, and while I gained some great benefits from church, I would leave the church service each week ready to rush through the rest of my day in order to get ready for the busy week.

But lately, that has been changing. My soul longs for more.  It knows that more is out there.  A better way of being and living.  My soul has been tired, weary, thirsty and used up.  Looking for rest.  Needing to be filled.

The world of the Sabbath is opening up to me.  There is much, much more out there!  And I long to really, truly observe the Sabbath with my family in ways that provide rest to all of our souls, minds, spirits and bodies.  Ways that we can be filled with quiet, each others’ presence, the lives of friends, and filled by the Holy Spirit.

And I know that for this to happen, there must be a plan.  A set time where we stop each week.  A time that is sacred and holy to our family.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be the same time each week.  There just needs to be intentional time.

So, I’m wondering: what is your experience with the Sabbath?  How have you tried to set aside a time weekly, or even daily, to quiet your soul, spend time with God, listen to Him and allow Him to fill you back up?  I’d love to hear from you!