Breathe

Sabbath. Shabbat. It’s an old, Jewish term isn’t it? I know that the Lord commanded the Israelites to take a Sabbath once a week, but that’s an old commandment right?

It may be an old commandment, but it’s still a good principle to live by today. Jeff and I are learning how vital it is to our lives, for our good and for our family. God always knows what’s best doesn’t He? And I’m learning it’s not just a day off- a day to catch up on errands, or watch football, or get my cleaning done for the week. Rather, it’s a day of complete rest. It’s flourishing. Life-giving. Intentional.

Time to be intentional with God. To sit with Him a little longer. To listen. To pray. To read.

Time to be intentional with family. To put our phones away and go do something outside. Walks. Beach days. Hikes. Dinners.

It’s filling up our day with that which gives us life. For me, sometimes that’s a good ole’ nap. Or going to a coffee shop and reading, or writing. Paddleboarding. Baking.

A day to reset. To plan for the week ahead. To rest so that I can work from my rest with a joyful heart.

This is all so new to me. Sabbath.

And among the actual day, I’m also learning how important it is to rest throughout the week. To live in a rhythm of Sabbath. To create margin for myself. Margin in my schedule and with my time. Because I’m learning busyness and chaos creates havoc. On myself and my family.

Margin with my finances, so I can give generously.

Margin with my stuff, so I can give and not be overwhelmed with organizing or cleaning or managing.

Sabbath is all about surrender, as Priscilla Shirer says in her study “Breathe”. And this morning as I sat journaling, and answering questions, it hit me. I need to have a sabbath of mind and heart.

To surrender my anxiety to Him.

Because the truth is that I cling to my anxious thoughts because I’m afraid that if I let them go, I’ll lose control. That I won’t be cared for, or my life will somehow fall apart. It’s my way of saying, “You know God, you’re God in a lot of ways, but in this area, I’m going to take the reigns because I think I got it. Thanks though.”

So this morning as this truth hit me, I felt God whispering to my anxious heart, “Let Me be God in your life, Alyssa. I am your Good Shepherd who takes care of you. I WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. AND I KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU. I HOLD YOU, AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FINANCES AND YOUR FUTURE AND YOUR SCHEDULE IN MY HANDS. In me, You lack nothing. In me, You are well taken care of.”

Anxiety has no place in God. He is light, and peace and hope. And He is in control.

I can let go of the things I am clinging to with a tight fist, and hand them over to God. To surrender. To create sabbath, rest, in my life. In my mind and heart.

To take a deep breathe, and give it to God.

So I did. This morning. And I know I’ll have to do it again in an hour, and tonight, and when Jeff and I have a talk about his next trip, and our plans for next week, and about our finances.

I want to breathe. I want to rest. Rest in His good and faithful and loving care of my life. He cares for me way more than I could ever care for myself. He is all powerful. All loving. And all wise.

What in your life do you need to surrender to create space for God?