So today, as you well know, is Sunday.  The Sabbath.  The day of Rest.

I have been struggling with the whole idea of Sabbath lately. It’s supposed to be a day of prayer and rest.  God tells us in Exodus 20: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

I think that God was really thinking of us in all of our human frailty when he gave us this commandment.  He knew that we would work, work, work all week and need a day of rest.  A day to just spend with Him.

We go to Sunday School and church on Sundays.  It’s what we do without question or discussion.  I cherish that time with my church family and with Jesus.

It’s what comes after church that I struggle with.  What did God mean, exactly, when he told us to rest? I know some families cook lots of food on Saturday so they can eat leftovers on Sunday and don’t have to work in the kitchen.  Or other families only eat out on Sundays. I have one friend who cooks, but doesn’t do any dishes, instead letting them sit in the sink until Monday.

And after the lunch situation is resolved? Should we nap for the remainder of the day? Maybe sit around watching football?

I’m sorry, but it’s just not in me.  I can take a nap, you all know that, but I just cannot spend the entire afternoon laying around.  For one thing, I just don’t want to, and for another, I wouldn’t be able to go to sleep that night.

So what does God want from me concerning the Sabbath? I have come to believe that, first and foremost, he wants to spend some time with me.  Secondly, he wants me to do what I need to do to feel rested and rejuvenated so I can begin a new week on a good note.

What does that mean for me? What does my Sabbath look like?

Well, here’s what I did today: We went to Sunday School and church, then came home for lunch (bologna sandwiches, nothing stressful).  Some friends and their children came over for the afternoon and us moms made some crafty Halloween decorations while the kids played.  After everyone left, Jason and the kids and I roasted hot dogs and made smores at the fire pit.

It was an awesome day.  It was full of God and friends and family.  My heart and soul feel good and ready for the week ahead.

And I think God is happy about that.

This post is part of my series for the #Write31Days writing challenge.  Click the pic below to see what else I have written this month! 🙂