School has started, which means schedules are set and full. We can let our kids’ activities take over our schedules, or we can set boundaries around our time, especially on Sundays. The Sabbath should be a time for restoration—restoration from what is broken, lost, or sick. If you took an inventory of your family’s health, would any of these three conditions appear?
Importance of the Sabbath
We can view the Sabbath from three perspectives: physical, mental, and spiritual. The first perspective focuses on our family’s health. Is your family run down, always sick or tired? God designed rest for our good. We were not meant to work seven days a week. Rest is important for regaining our energy and strength.
Mental health is a major concern these days. Stress and anxiety arise when the mind cannot rest. Your teenagers experience this after studying for a major exam. When this happens, they need something that does not require so much internal processing. If they do not allow the mind to rest, anxiety will flare up.
Sports and other competitions can bleed over into Sundays, the one day that used to be set aside for rest. If you’re visiting another city or state, consider attending church there or reading a Psalm and praying with your family. Your tween or teen might rebel, but do not give up. You are planting seeds that will reap reward later down the road. When we implement these three types of rest—physical, mental, and spiritual—the body can start the week refreshed, energized, and restored.
Practical Ways to Implement the Sabbath in Your Family
Rest is not passive but active. As adults, we’ll need to take ownership and set boundaries for our family’s time and days. Keep certain nights or days off-limits to outside activities. Decide what refreshes or drains your family’s energy, then take steps to make changes. We don’t want to be legalistic about it. My family had many rules growing up about what we couldn’t do. Those rules didn’t restore our family; they made me want to rebel instead. Find what works for your family, take small steps, try it, and remember you can always adjust along the way.
Biblical Examples
Elijah was physically exhausted after the showdown at Mount Carmel and after running for miles to escape the evil Jezebel (1 Kings 19). What did God tell him to do? Rest. God then provided freshly baked bread and water. Jesus’ days were filled with healing, teaching, and crowds, yet He took time to step away to His Father and rest. Refreshed and restored, He stepped right back into ministry. Jesus invites us to do the same. “Come all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
—Sally Cressman, 615-480-7662 – sallyacress@gmail.com
www.sallycressman.com
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