Sabbath

Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives literally saved my life. There was a time that I believed to be a faithful Christian meant sacrificing everything for God’s work. Studying about Sabbath practices helped me to realize the destructiveness of my own frenetic busyness. Wayne Muller’s book is a gentle journey into learning what it means to believe God’s will for us to rest and take pleasure in His good gifts. He also helped me to realize that my limitations are an important learning compassion and being present with others.

Abraham Joshua Heschel’s The Sabbath is one of my very favorite books on the beauty and sacredness of a Sabbath practice. He takes you on a deep and meaningful journey into understanding more fully the original intent of the Jewish Shabbat as a day to savor God’s good gifts, especially family and friends. My favorite metaphor is his idea that Sabbath is a Cathedral in time.

Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting by Marva J. Dawn is an exploration of Sabbath that includes living life to the full and savoring God’s many abundant gifts. Even though this is not the intent it is a great book on savoring and gratitude!

Catch Your Breath: God’s Invitation to Sabbath Rest by Don Postema is a lovely little book that gently explores creating a Sabbath practice and incorporates little Sabbath practices to add into your daily life.