How are you at Sabbath keeping? I am not talking about the traditional Orthodox Jewish practice of never turning on a light on Saturday. Although if that is your practice I admire it.

I am talking about a day of rest, restoration and re-creation. Do you regularly take time to recharge? Do you have margins in your life to just stop the everyday craziness? Or do you feel that any stoppage time would set you back and the trying to catch up would not be worth it?

I have been trying to add more wiggle room into my life- to intentionally leave time open on my calendar for incidentals and interruptions. I must say that it is difficult. For just when I think I have left room, it gets filled up and overflowing. And then, the incidentals and interruptions occur.

I am also trying to be more intentional in having a day or at least a part of the day in which the rhythm of the day is slower. A day that is not hurried but one in which things organically happen.

I am trying to have a Sabbath.

For me, as a Christian that means Sunday; starting my day with worship and spending time in relationship building of spending time with family and friends. Sabbath is a time for enjoying the world around me, others and the world that God created.

For me Sabbath starts the day before with a day of preparation. It is on Saturday that I try and get things in order so that I don't have to worry about to-do items or activities. Yet, I have learned that getting prepared for Sabbath doesn't mean that I have to be frantic because now I have one fewer day in the week to work. It means that I try and have things ready but probably not all done. It reminds me that I am not in control of my life but God is. I can trust Him with all the details of activity, knowing that He provides what I need to get done. It is another example of God's economy; His economy of time. When we offer what we have to Him- time, money, resources- He always returns that portion back and more. There is no logical explanation. It is a God thing.

I have decided that I would make ahead some simple meals that I can invite others to enjoy.

Last Sunday was such a day. I must say that I really looked forward to everything that was to transpire that day. I looked forward to worship and to the time spent with friends. The rhythm of our day was wonderful- slower paced, intentional, and restorative.

Many times, even for a "day off" I have so many obligations; activities, caring for others, to-do list projects around the house. The schedule seems overwhelming. If I don't stick to it, I will muddle through my day and not accomplish anything. I have had to rethink my definition of "accomplishment". Isn't it a good accomplishment to feel restored and ready for the next six days?

What about you? Do you have any time during the week that is slower paced? How do you slow down your lifestyle? Do you intentionally plan for a Sabbath? If not, what is holding you back? What do you need to do in order to practice a Sabbath?

I may not achieve it every week, but I am going to try and keep the Sabbath.