Mamas: You Need Sabbath Rest More Than You Think You Do

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Taking a Sabbath rest is important … especially for moms.

By Katie Bennett, Contributing Writer

I was worn down.

At this time last year, life felt busy and complicated. Between my home, the many needs of my young children, my husband’s long days and weeks at work and a discontent baby, I felt fatigued and discouraged.

Because I wasn’t getting more than a few miserably-interrupted hours of sleep each night, and because I wasn’t able to rest much during the day, because I was existing on frozen pizzas and cereal, and because my baby was still fully nursing as an eight-month-old (who has time to introduce solids?), I was struggling.

It was showing not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. My weight had gotten too low, and I was experiencing bouts of unexplainable anxiety.

I sat across the small coffee shop table from some of my closest friends at our cozy, Tuesday night accountability group meeting, and painted this bleak picture.

They asked questions and listened carefully. Eventually, one of my friends, the one who’s brood of children looks nearly identical to my own in age and number, gently asked, “have you considered having a Sabbath rest each week?”

All the reasons this simply could not happen flooded my mind. “Mitch works six days a week and we need that last day to tie up loose ends. We’ve got to do stuff!” and “No one is going to take care of my kids for me one day per week, so how could I possibly rest?”

So, I protested. It did not feel attainable. At least, not in the way I would want it to look. 

Nonetheless, as we talked, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this could work… IF I was willing to let it not be perfect and IF I was willing to make it a very high priority.

Hearing about the difference it made in my friend’s life, and hearing how she made it work in spite of her little children, I resolved to try it that very week.

How did it go?

Well, no one swooped in and took care of my kids for me on that day each week. My husband wasn’t even home to share the burden on the day I chose for my Sabbath (which, for me, was Sunday), but nonetheless, I determined to leave the laundry, dishes, sweeping and cooking where they lay, and I relaxed on the couch as much as possible. We ate more frozen pizza, and I did the bare minimum that I felt I could do.

I even explained the concept to my children so that they would understand. They seemed to get on board.

It wasn’t picture perfect. There were still diapers to be changed, snacks and meals to be dispensed, naps to put children down for, and many needs to be met on that day.

However, in spite of the messiness of it all, this one determined effort to rest each week felt like a sunrise in my life. This new rhythm slowly, steadily and beautifully delivered reprieve to my entire week as I faithfully made the effort to rest.

It wasn’t glamorous. I sat. I read my Bible or a book, and I resisted the temptation to tidy up toys. Sometimes, I was twiddling my thumbs.

But this change made a big, big difference.

That one “experiment” blew open my entire understanding of the need for systematic, rhythmic rest in my life. This matters! God knows this. He taught us that, “Man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man.” (Mark 2:27-28)

Sabbath was gift from the very beginning. While I do not believe we can earn God’s favor by following this law, I do think that paying attention to what God has told us about ourselves will bring inherent blessing! Who knows us better than our creator?

Do you feel tired and worn down, as I did? Are you surviving rather than thriving?

Let me urge you to choose one day each week that you will rest (or at least part of a day)! I continue to practice Sabbath, even now that life is calmer. This has become an integral, healthy part of my week. It gives me space to slow down for the benefit of rest, being with my family and hearing God speak.

All you need to do is make a simple plan. Ask yourself, “what will I say no to on this day? What will I say yes to?” Hint: those yeses should be things that give you life, are restful and refresh you! I’ve discovered that having a specific plan helps me to be committed and successful.

If you would like some guidance with this process, I would love to help. In order to resource you, I’ve created a free Sabbath Planning Guide course, complete with a printable guide, printable scripture cards, audio teaching and a list of 55 creative ideas for your Sabbath. Get instant free access here.

Are you feeling worn out these days? How could you be more disciplined with your resting?