Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Gen 2:3)

Before the pandemic, life had sped up to a frenetic pace that I couldn’t maintain. (This led to my word of the year, renew which I’ve written about several times.) When someone would ask how I was doing, my answer was good but busy. This was the case so often that I found myself trying to find ways to answer without using the word “busy,” but in all honesty, I was busy, so I struggled to come up with another word that summarized my life.

When I returned the question, the answer was always the same. Everyone was always busy. We wore busyness like a badge of honor.

Between work, volunteering, and my social activities, I had filled every last moment in my schedule. All good things, to be sure, but too many good things is still too many.

During the lockdown, I gave up meeting in person, which opened space on my calendar. Even adding new projects, such as writing a bimonthly editing newsletter, recording weekly writing tip videos, and writing my cozy mystery, did not fill all my newfound time. Things have opened up some, but I’m still not getting out much.

I find I still experience moments of FOMO (fear of missing out). But they are fewer and farther in between. I find I quite enjoy the slower rhythm into which my life has fallen.

As part of my effort to maximize my time and not fill it with unnecessary activities, I’ve decided to begin practicing the Sabbath. It was eye opening to realize I’ve never practiced a true Sabbath. Yes, I go to church each week (online now), and I thought that was all there was to it. But I have crammed the rest of my days with nonstop activities to the extent that time with Jesus is often an afterthought.

So what does practicing the Sabbath really mean?

For me, it means dedicating time for Jesus. It’s more than maintaining a quiet time, reading a devotional, or writing a prayer in my journal, although all of those things could be part of it. Sabbath is intentional, restful connection—time spent with the one who made me and walks with me each day.

I plan to start slowly, with fifteen minutes a day and then increase over time. After all, I rarely sit still, and I’m still learning to rest through my word of the year, renew. I’ll put my phone away and use a real Bible—you know, the book with a cover and real pages made of paper.

I like the idea of Sabbath. After all, it is one of the commandments, which means it’s important. God knew that we, as humans, find it difficult to slow our hurried pace, and so we must be told to do so. With the Lord’s help, I’ll implement the Sabbath and learn to keep it.

Dear Jesus, thank you for showing me what real Sabbath means—this it’s not just going to church on the weekends but a deeper time of connection with you during the week. Show me how to be intentional and keep this time with you sacred. Amen.