“Cease from what is necessary, and embrace what gives life.”
—Pastor Ken Shigemastu in “God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God”
Sabbath time is an often-misunderstood term because it has been used in the past to mean different kinds of practice. For our purposes today, we are going to focus on Sabbath as a time to pause and rest and focus on the abundance of God’s goodness in our lives.
Sabbath is not restricted to just one day or a certain amount of time. Instead, Sabbath is better understood by what it offers us: time. And in today’s world, that usually means being unplugged from our electrical devices so that we can be better connected to God and those around us.
A visual reminder for families to practice sabbath is something as simple as paper people chains. This simple paper project that be made longer and longer as you add more “people” to your chain. On each “person” write a practice that your family does to be “connected” with one another and to come closer to God. Here are a few suggestions:
- Indoor or outdoor picnic
- Card games of puzzles
- Stargazing
- Walks
- Make a meal together
What does your family enjoy doing together and unplugged? – that is sabbath!
Resources for Kids:
- “All the World” by Liz Garton Scanlon.
- “The Stars” by H.A. Rey
- “Good morning Yoga” by Mariam Gates
Resources for Adults:
One of the biggest challenges for establishing a ritual for sabbath is our electronic connection. You need to unplug, take a deep breath, and pause. Here are some resources to help: