A Different Kind of Sabbath Reflection

A Different Kind of Sabbath Reflection

Tonight feels different.

Normally my reflections come early in the morning, before the world wakes up. But today, this Sunday, I waited until the evening. I wanted to look back over the full day, from the first moments of waking up to the quiet settling of night, and reflect on what the Sabbath really gave us.

The day began early with God’s Word. Bible open. Journal out. A slow intentional start as I prepared my heart for church. Barbi was not feeling well and stayed home to watch church online. Bella and I had a choice. Part of me thought we should all stay home and watch together. Nothing wrong with that. But something deeper nudged me forward.

I wanted Bella to catch me choosing to go.

I want her to see faith modeled, not just talked about. So we got dressed, got ready, and went to church together. We listened to the Word. We took notes side by side. We followed along in our Bibles. We prayed for people. We greeted people. We worshiped and sang together. It was one of those quiet powerful moments that doesn’t need to be announced to matter.

After church, we were playful and silly. We made videos. We laughed. Then we shifted gears and worked on something less fun but necessary. Parallel parking.

It was uncomfortable at first. A little frustration showed up. Some uncertainty. But repetition did its job. Again and again, she improved. Watching her work through it, not quit, and gain confidence was one of those proud dad moments I will always hold onto. Growth rarely feels good in the moment, but it always leaves something lasting.

When we got home, Barbi had lunch ready. I cannot express how grateful I am for her. I truly married up. God gave me a godly woman to walk beside me, to mother Bella, to encourage me, to lift me up, and yes, to make an incredible lunch. She later got to experience Bella’s parallel parking too, and we shared that moment together as a family while running errands and coming back home.

The afternoon slowed down. Bella spent time talking with close friends and working on her artwork. Barbi and I watched a Christmas movie together. I listened to a few chapters on how to be a better husband, how to be a more godly man, how to stand firm in the faith. We prayed together. We rested together.

As the evening came, we watched church online and spent time in praise and worship. I received encouraging messages from close friends. Words that reminded me I am not alone and that what we are doing matters.

This was a Sabbath.

Not perfect. Not polished. But full.

We will fail this week. We will fall short. We will not measure up. That is not the point. We take what we hear from the Word of God and we do what we can with it. That is the measure of our faith.

Tonight I am reminded that rest is a gift. Being recharged is a gift. And doing it together as a family is one of the greatest blessings I know.