Mom Heart Moments #61

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”

MARCH IS THAT END-OF-WINTER time when the moms I know are a little bit weary of the school year and feeling no inspiration ahead! That is exactly why I almost always took a break from homeschooling in March. I made up my own holiday time for just a few days, because my soul needed rest and refreshment. Life is a long journey, and if we are to make it to the end with resilience, we have to plan for refreshment along the way.

A friend once told Sarah that her love for beauty seemed a bit frivolous. However, I have always taught my children that they are responsible to keep a light burning in their souls —whatever it takes. Creating beauty and joyful moments in the midst of a fallen, sad world is what gives light to others and nurtures that same light in our own souls. By taking a break, I am not ignoring the pain or difficulties but admitting that in order to keep going and giving of myself for many years to come, I have to take responsibility for replenishing my soul and seeking to fill the spiritual, emotional, and physical cup of my life with nourishment.

Going for long walks, reading a magazine or frivolous book, sleeping in, having a tea party or lunch in the middle of the week with friends for no reason, creating a scavenger hunt in the house for kids, taking a long bubble bath with divine music and candlelight and not answering the phone or the door . . . Whatever sounds good and within reason, I do because I know the principle of the Sabbath —God designed for us to need rest because without it, we do not endure well or see Him clearly or have the strength to believe in order to get perspective.

Do you need to schedule a Sabbath for yourself sometime soon?