How to Practice Sabbath Rest at Home

The Quiet Sabbath

To practice Sabbath rest, set aside one day a week to stop working and turn toward God. Prepare the day before, so chores and meals are done. Then spend the day in worship, rest, family time, and simple joys. Start small; even a few quiet hours is a good beginning.

For years, my Sundays looked like every other day. Church, then laundry. Lunch, then weeding. Supper, then the week's to-do list.

I called it a day of rest. But I wasn't resting.

This fall, I've been learning to keep a quiet Sabbath. It's been one of the sweetest changes in our home.

What is Sabbath rest?

Sabbath rest is a weekly day set apart to stop working, rest, and focus on God. It started at creation, when God rested on the seventh day.

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." — Exodus 20:8 (KJV)

Christians keep the Sabbath in different ways. Some rest on Saturday, and many rest on Sunday. What matters most is setting the day apart for God.

Jesus gave us a gentle reminder about it, too.

"The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." — Mark 2:27 (KJV)

The Sabbath isn't one more rule to keep perfectly. It's a gift.

Why is it so hard to rest?

Rest is hard because there's always more to do, and stopping can feel lazy or selfish. Many of us were taught that a good woman stays busy.

On a homestead, the work never fully ends. The garden needs tending. The animals need feeding. The kitchen always needs something.

But God didn't rest because His work was too hard. He rested to show us that work has an end.

How do you practice Sabbath rest at home?

Prepare ahead, pick a clear start and end time, and fill the day with things that bring you closer to God and family.

Here's how our quiet Sabbath works.

Prepare the day before. Finish the laundry, tidy up, and make a simple meal ahead. A pot of soup or a casserole is perfect.
Pick a start and end time. We start at supper the night before and end at supper the next day. Choose what fits your family.
Put your phone away. Turn off notifications or keep it in a drawer, except for calls that matter.
Worship. Go to church, read your Bible, or sing hymns at home.
Eat slowly together. Use the good dishes. Light a candle. Linger at the table.
Get outside. Take a slow walk, sit on the porch, or watch the chickens scratch.
Rest your body. Take a nap. Read a book. Sit with a warm cup of tea. On my porch, that's often a cup of Dried Lemon Balm tea with honey.
End with thanks. Before the day closes, name three things you're grateful for.

What should you do and skip on the Sabbath?

What if you work on weekends?

If you work weekends, choose another day for your Sabbath. God cares more about your heart than the day on the calendar.

Many of our readers work in healthcare. Nurses, aides, and techs often work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

If that's you, try a Tuesday Sabbath. Or start with a "mini Sabbath" of four quiet hours after a shift. Small rest still counts.

"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." — Isaiah 30:15 (KJV)

How do homesteaders keep the Sabbath with animals?

Animals still need care on the Sabbath, and that's okay. Do the simple must-do chores, then rest.

Jesus Himself said it was right to care for animals on the Sabbath. Feeding, watering, and checking on them is an act of love.

To make it easier, fill feeders and water the night before. Gather eggs quickly. Save coop cleaning for another day.

Shop the herb: Dried Lemon Balm Soft and lemony with a hint of mint, lemon balm makes a gentle, caffeine-free cup for slow Sabbath afternoons. Available in 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz. Shop Dried Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is often asked about during pregnancy and with some medicines. If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medicine, check with your doctor before drinking herbal tea.

FAQ

Is the Sabbath Saturday or Sunday? The biblical Sabbath was the seventh day, Saturday. Many Christians rest on Sunday, the Lord's Day, to honor the resurrection. Follow your church and conscience.

Can I cook on the Sabbath? Many families keep cooking simple by making meals the day before. Warming up soup or setting out leftovers is a common choice.

How do I start keeping a Sabbath? Start small. Try one Sabbath afternoon this week with no chores or errands, and build from there.

How do you brew lemon balm tea? Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm in 1 cup of hot water for 5 to 7 minutes, covered. Strain and add honey if you like.

A quiet closing

Friend, rest is not something you have to earn. It's a gift God made for you from the very beginning.

This week, try one quiet Sabbath, or even just a quiet afternoon. Make the soup ahead, put the phone away, and sit down.

If you'd like a cup in your hands, our Dried Lemon Balm is waiting. And if you missed it, my post on Why I Stopped Trying to Do It All is a good companion to this one.

Rest well.