Dinner and Prayer

Two posts in one day?  Yep, I'm rebellious like that!  I wanted to share something along the lines of reclaiming the table that we've been doing consistently in our house for the last several months.  For many years it has been on my heart to pray for different countries around the world.  I've approached this in many different ways with every attempt ending the same - slowly forgetting the habit until months later I realize I haven't prayed for another country in a long time.  Our solution?  Bring that country into more than just our prayer time.  This may work for you and it may not, but here's what we do:

Each week we have a "letter of the week."  (Our son is only 9 months old, but I want to get in the habit now of teaching him things along the way.)  Last week our letter was "U."  Whatever the letter I go to the Operation World website and find a country starting with that letter.  The next step is the most fun - that country goes up on our Menu board and I find a recipe from there that is as authentic as we can manage.  The results are so fun!  We see that country's name every day as a reminder to pray for them and we get to try new food.  I used to work at a place that taught me a lot about different parts of the world and I miss it.  I got to see first hand what it looked like to introduce very young children to different cultures, languages, foods, clothing, etc. and always loved how it taught children that not everyone will look or sound the same or even eat the same foods, but that we can love them and pray for them just the same.  And that is a lesson I think many of us need reminding of!

One part of this process I have found the most time consuming is finding the recipes.  I've gathered quite a few since we started and thought, if you're interested, I could save you a little bit of time by posting some of the recipes we've used.  Some have become absolute favorites (thank you Ecuador for your Chaulafan de Pollo!) and others give us practice in politely trying foods we aren't used to yet!  ;)  Here is the dish we made from Uganda:

Chickennat

This was a very hearty, warm dish.  The chicken and peanut butter over rice makes it very filling!

Ingredients:

One 2-3 pound chicken (we just used two chicken breasts)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 pint (2 cups) chicken stock (I used bullion cubes dissolved in water)

3/4 cup peanut butter (we've found peanut butter in many of the African recipes we've tried)

1-2 egg yolks

Several sprigs of parsley, coarsely chopped (we used dried parsley)

Directions:

1. Rub the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.  

2. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet or stew pot, and add the chicken and onions.  Cover and simmer over lowest heat, periodically adding stock until you have used it all.

3. After 15 minutes, remove half cup of the cooking liquid to thin the peanut butter. Add to the pot and bring to a boil.  (Times vary depending on how much chicken you used.)

4. Reduce heat and then whisk some of the hot stew liquid into the egg yolks.  Add to the pot and stir to incorporate the egg mixtrue into the stew.

5. Simmer gently until the chicken is done.  Be careful not to heat the stew about a simmer from this point.

6. Garnish with parsley and serve with rice or corn porridge.

Let me know if you try the recipe and what your family thought of it.  We're trying a recipe from Venezuela tomorrow!  I'll be sure to share it with you soon.  :)

Reclaiming the Table

Where does your family have dinner on any given night?  If you're anything like us the answer is probably on the couch in front of the TV.  By the end of the day around here we often find ourselves tired and ready to just sit back and relax.  Of course, in our minds, this means on the couch with a good show on while our son plays.  Makes sense, right?  I thought so too.  And then we were offered a challenge.  Our church did a series entitled "The Table."  They pointed out all the different instances of meals being served and eaten together in Scripture.  So many times Jesus met with people over a meal.  Even His final night before being arrested was spent over a meal (The Last Supper/Communion) with His disciples.  The New Testament gives many examples of disciples breaking bread together.  Meals are a time to come together and connect, build relationship, talk, and grow together.  It's not just about the food.  They told us this statistic that really surprised me - 30 years ago the average dinner lasted 90 minutes, today it lasts 15.  We've lost something along the way.  We've grown too busy.  We've become so attached to electronics that we often don't even notice what is missing. It's relationship.  Real, true, honest, face-to-face relationship. 

So here was the challenge - eat at your dining room/kitchen table with your friends and/or family 3 nights out of the week . . . without electronic devices (that includes your phone)!  As intimidating as those piles of papers on the table were, we cleared everything off and gave it a shot. And guess what.  We had conversation.  We shared how our days were.  Our son got used to snacking on his little puffs as he listened to us talk . . . and tried to add his own thoughts.  We talked about our concerns for the future, our joys in the present, what made us smile that day, what frustrated us.  We connected.  And I loved it!  I felt so refreshed.  What I thought would be so draining gave me life! I was excited about our family, excited about the example this was giving our son.  Instead of 3 nights that week we've done it almost every night since.  There's something powerful about giving someone your full, undivided attention, even if it is only for 30 minutes over a meal. 

In our house we have reclaimed the table.  Can I challenge you to reclaim yours?  What is there to lose? Yes, you might miss a TV show, but think of what could be gained.  You can always find that episode online later, but today is only here for a short while.  Don't miss it.

He Delights in Me

Comparison.  My greatest temptation and the one area of my life that brings me the most sorrow, disappointment, and displeasure.  Perhaps this isn't an area you struggle with, but it has been a lifelong issue for me.  I compare my abilities, possessions, relationships, accomplishments, etc.  Every act I perform is held up next to someone else's similar act to see if I measure up, to see if I'm good enough.  When my son was born I had so many things I wanted to do with him - things I wanted to teach him, show him, and experience with him.  And in many ways I have done much of what I hoped to . . . with one small problem.  Each thing I did carried with it a question - "how will this compare with what so-and-so did?"  My old nemesis had sneaked its way into my relationship with my son.  Instead of doing things simply to enjoy him and love him, I did it in response to what others were doing.  I have been told over and over again, as I'm sure many mothers are, to cherish this time.  It seemed like such a strange suggestion.  Of course I'm going to cherish the time I have with my son.  Why wouldn't I?  And that is truly what I hoped to do, but comparison chipped away.  Trying to measure up and be "super mom" took away from just enjoying him.  It robbed me of the joy in the moment.   

This morning as my little man napped I read this verse and it has been on my heart all day:

He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me. - 2 Samuel 22:20

Here's the truth, God delights in me.  He rescued me and saved me not because of what I could do for Him or because of what I own, but because He created me and loves me.  There is no comparison.  He sees me as I am and delights in me.  I don't have to measure up.  I don't have to compete.  The same goes for being a mom.  Comparison makes me forget that God gave my son to me.  He will lead me in how to raise him.  He will teach me how to love my son unconditionally.  And how He leads me will very likely be different from other moms.  Is it wrong?  No.  It is better?  No. Is it a competition?  No.  I can delight with God in how He uses other moms in the lives of their children as I stand in amazement at how God leads me to be mommy to my Caleb.


I feel like Paul where he essentially says, "I don't speak as someone who has it all together, but I press on towards the goal" (Philippians 3:12).  I don't have this figured out.  I still struggle with comparing myself to others.  But what I take hope in is that Christ has grace for me and He will continually lead me as I venture ever farther into mommyhood.

No Fear in Love

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us . . . There is no fear in love." 

- 1 John 4:16a, 18a

When we fear punishment or isolation from God for our misdeeds, it is because we do not understand His everlasting love.  Unfortunately this misdeed-punishment scenario might fit examples of "love" you have seen or experienced on earth, but this is fallen, imperfect "love."  Our Enemy has done a great job of teaching us to project onto God what we see in society, but this is flawed.  God's ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9).  So too is His love.  His love is perfect, pure, everlasting . . . and UNconditional.  He loves you.  That will never change, adjust, alter.  It is constant just as He is constant - He never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  Stop condemning yourself, thinking God is upset or angry with you.  Instead, ask Him to show you His love for you and pray for Him to help you receive the fullness of His love.

What If It Were Me?

Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. - Hebrews 13:3

As I read this passage I was deeply convicted.  How many times have I heard of horrific situations people are facing, maybe even pray for them in the moment, and then a few minutes later I've continued on with my life and completely forgotten what they're going through.  This verse reminds me to remember the plights and prayers of people as if I myself were facing the situation.  I wouldn't forget to lift up a prayer for provision if I were facing financial ruin, to seek supernatural healing and peace while encountering a troubling diagnosis, or ask God to move mightily if I were lost in a state of depression, yet I so often forget to lift up similar requests for those around me who are facing these situations.  The only response I can find is to repent for my lack of focus and concern for others and ask God to open my heart and eyes to these situations around me with a renewed understanding and motivation to lift them up in prayer and support them as the Lord leads.


Lord, forgive my negligence. Give me a heart that is open and willing to be affected and broken by the plights of others.  Teach me not to be afraid to become invested that I might better serve my neighbors for Your Glory.  Amen.

Tid Bits

As my life has changed much over the last several months I realize how fast-paced our society is.  We often claim we don't have time to sit over a devotion or quiet time for long and therefore miss out on what God is speaking.  In response to this I feel as though God has been leading me to change how I present these posts.  Rather than long stories or explanations that only a few truly have time to read I want to share the tid bits that God draws out of the Scriptures for me each morning as I get in a few minutes with Him before my days starts.

Today I was reading in Matthew 26 and God highlighted a few truths from this passage:

A woman came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on His head as e sat at the table.  But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste?" . . . But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman?  She has performed a good service for me.  ~ Matthew 26:7-8, 10

Too often we become focused on the opinions of others and it cripples our ability to serve God.  This woman did something incredible for Jesus, something He praised her for and promised that wherever the Good News would be proclaimed that her story would be told (Matt 26:13).  Praise God that her focus was upon serving Jesus and not upon the opinions of others.  For she obeyed what God called her to do regardless of what others might think.

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray Him to you?"  ~ Matthew 26:14

Judas' betrayal of Jesus was done out of selfishness and a self-focused perspective.  He was more concerned about what would be given to him than what would happen to Jesus because of his actions.  Lord, let our focus be upon You rather than upon ourselves.  For we know that You are the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).  There is nothing this world can offer that would be greater than what You give.  Help me, Jesus, to be more focused on You, Your Name, and Your Glory than upon my own.  Amen.

Jesus said to Judas, "Friend, do what you are here to do."  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.  ~  Matthew 26:50

Knowing what Judas has come to do and the pain Jesus will face because of that choice, Jesus calls him "friend."  What hope that gives us!  What love, that in spite of all the times we have hurt, denied, and turned our backs on Jesus, He calls us friend.

Then Peter began to curse, and he swore on oath, I do not know the man!"  At that moment the cock crowed.  Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."  And he went out and wept bitterly. ~ Matthew 26:74-75

How often I forget the truth of God's Word and need a reminder like Peter received.  God has spoken so much truth to us through Scripture - words of peace, strength, joy, power - that we quickly forget, especially when we are in difficult situations and need it most.  Lord, let us be accepting of the reminders of Your Truth.  Let our pride not get in the way of taking these words of power and wisdom to heart, letting them soak into us that they might effect change from the inside out.

Continual Renewal

Take a moment and think back on your childhood.  How you acted, what you thought about certain things, or how mature you were.  Now compare that to who you are now.  Are there any differences?  For most of us we can see how throughout our lives we have grown in knowledge, experience, understanding, maturity, and in many other areas.  In Colossians we find a call to exhibit this same growth in our spiritual lives, in our relationship with Christ Jesus:

. . .  you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. – Colossians 3:9b-10

As I read this passage what stuck out to me was that in addition to the initial new self that we put on, we are being renewed.  This implies a continuous, ongoing action.  Our relationship with Christ was not a onetime deal where we put on the new self and were in that moment at the relationship level with Christ that He wanted us to remain at for our entire lives.  Just as our parents and older siblings look forward to a child's constant growth as they learn to walk, speak, reason, etc., our Father looks forward to those milestones of constant growth in our relationship with Him as well.  Peter talks about this in terms of moving from spiritual milk to meat in our understanding of God (1 Peter 2).

So how do we do this?  How do we maintain this constant renewal?

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – Colossians 3:12

How often do you clothe yourself?  I'm really hoping you put clothes on every day!  So when Paul says to clothe yourselves with compassion, humility, gentleness and patience, I see it as something we are to do daily.  Again, this is not something we can do one time and hope that it sticks for the rest of our lives.  Just as our clothes, should we never change them, begin to smell and grow old, our compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience would grow stale without being refreshed and renewed daily.  One way to renew these traits daily is through encouragement through God's Word and dialogue with God through prayer.  Another way comes through fellowship with other Christians:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16

I love this verse!  Did you notice the word pastor, preacher, or leader in this verse?  No!  Why not?  Because this is the job of the Christian community and is not to be left for our leaders alone.  It requires the participation of every member of the body of Christ to teach one another and to come together to praise God and express our mutual thankfulness to Him for all He has done in our lives.  Consider another of Paul's letters:

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:23-24

We have the opportunity and the honor of spurring one another on in good deeds, in worship, in service, in knowledge, and, in turn, in spiritual growth as we support one another.  Through prayer, the reading of God's Word, and fellowship with other believers who are encouraging and supporting one another as the body of Christ, we find ourselves being continually renewed in the image of our Creator.  Lest we grow sidetracked in our own growth and become proud in what we have accomplished, Paul reminds us to constantly point to the Lord as the One who makes possible this growth and all we do:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17

A Worthy Life

What kind of people ought you to be? – 2 Peter 3:11b

Woah!  What a question!  After reminding us that there is a time of judgment coming to the earth, Peter asks this very profound question:  What kind of people ought you to be?  Considering the many ways he could have asked this question or even just told us the answer, it strikes me as incredibly important that he chooses this phrasing.  It implies that we already know what we should be doing - that we already have the answer.  The Holy Spirit is within every believer reminding us of how to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ.  We need only to listen and heed its conviction.

Before asking this question, Peter draws our attention to a very important, yet somewhat unfortunate, fact: 

. . . for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. – 2 Peter 2:19b

(This just begs the question:  What has you mastered? I'll save that for another day.)

 Instead of simply ending his argument here, Peter calls us higher and deeper into our relationship with Christ.  Hope is offered.  We aren't left as slaves to our sin, circumstances, or idols.  In asking what kind of person we ought to be, he is saying that there is the possibility of being something more than what we are now.  Consider how he ends his letter:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

We have the ability to grow in Christ!  Living a life for Christ is not living a stagnant life.  It's a life of constant change and growth as we learn more about who God is and all that He has done for us.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8

As children of the Most High God, we are called to grow in relationship with Him, to live a life worthy of the calling He has given us.  This is not something we are left to figure out on our own.  Jesus promised the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, would come to His followers to teach us all things and remind us of all He taught (John 14:26).  Knowing this, I ask you to consider these questions:  What steps is the Lord asking you to take in order to grow closer to Him?  Are you taking them?  What is stopping or preventing you?  If you're unsure of how to answer – ask your Father!  He wants an intimate relationship with you and will, through His Spirit, reveal to you those areas of your life that are getting in the way of that relationship. 

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. – Colossians 1:10

The God I Serve

Lord, You are the King eternal.
When I speak of my help,
it is You I can count on.

It is You who comes to my rescue,
who shakes the heavens,
who sends light in my darkest night.
You are the King eternal.

Father, You are my compassionate protector.
You move mountains to come to my aid,
it is You I cry out to.
It is You who never leaves me,
who never condemns me,
who is always full of love towards me.
You are my compassionate protector.

Jesus, You are the lover of my soul.
You stand with me in joy and sorrow,
it is You I pour my heart out to.
It is You who understands my pain,
who rejoices with me in good times,
who cries with me and comforts me at night.
You are the lover of my soul.

Dating God

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. – Psalm 90:14

Have you ever seen a couple in love?  You know the ones I'm talking about.  The ones that are constantly together or when they're not together wish they were?  The ones who are always talking about their significant other?  Sharing about what they did recently or generally how wonderful they are?  These people desire to speak to that love first thing in the morning, they want to spend time with them, talk to them, pour over letters from them, and generally be consumed by that love.

I was watching a sunset over the beach recently when God reminded me that this is how my relationship with Him should look.  He began calling me back to my first love.  Reminding me how much He loves me and how much He desires to speak with me and have a relationship with me.

“Therefore I am now going to allure her;
   I will lead her into the wilderness
   and speak tenderly to her." – Hosea 2:14

Your God loves you with an unfailing love.  He created every part of you – your appearance, your personality, your talents, your passions and desires – and He loves every bit of it!  It's almost hard to believe since, for many of us, there are things about ourselves that we don't like.  We couldn't imagine how anyone could love that quirk, but it's true.  God is crazy about you!  Even that aspect of yourself that you find annoying, He smiles just thinking about it!

Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
   honor him, for he is your lord. – Psalm 45:11

As I sat on the beach and began thinking of all the couples I know in love, I began to get a picture of how my relationship with God should be when I realize how much He loves me and how much I love Him in return.  When I begin to understand this love, each morning is approached with eager expectation to talk to Him.  It is a thrill to spend any and all time I have in His Presence.  And it's an absolute joy to pour over His Word as it becomes a love letter written just for me!  It's this whole idea of dating God.  He desires an intimate relationship with you.  The kind of relationship where you enjoy being in His Presence, where no conversation is off limits, and where joy overflows. 

I encourage you to consider dating God.  Take some time to spend just with Him.  Get to know each other.  Go on a "date" with God!  (He took me to the beach to watch a beautiful sunset that I believe He created just for me! J)  Read His Word and begin to understand how He feels about you.  Talk to Him – tell Him everything, He wants to know.  In essence, simply learn to love God.  As you draw to closer to Him, He will draw closer to you.  And just like that couple in love, you'll find yourself waking up ready to talk, telling anyone near you how wonderful He is, and desiring to simply spend time in His Presence.

“In that day,” declares the LORD,
   “you will call me ‘my husband’;
   you will no longer call me ‘my master."^' – Hosea 2:16

Service is a Choice

Then [Jesus] called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me." – Mark 8:34

          
     The other day I was contemplating the idea of living in service to God.  I was thinking how God sent His Son, Jesus, to take my punishment before I ever asked to be saved.  Part of me began to think, "I never asked for Him to do that so why should I dedicate my life to Him?  He did that all on His own.  I'm grateful and accept the sacrifice He made for me, but do I have to give up how I want to live my life for Him?"  The resounding answer in my head was simple – no.  I don't have to give my life in service to my God.  He loved me so much that He gave me free will so that I could make my own decisions.  In the case of service to the Lord who gave His life for mine, I again find that I have the free will to decide how I will respond to His amazing gift of love.

            
     An excellent example of this concept can be found in the fairly recent movie "The Conte of Monte Cristo." About halfway through the movie we find our main character, Edmond Dantes, washed up on a beach after escaping a prison where he was wrongly incarcerated, beaten, and held without hope of release.  Unfortunately, he finds himself in the midst of a rough-looking band of pirates.  The captain, instead of killing him outright, orders him to fight one of his crew to the death and the winner would be allowed to live.  This crew member, Jacopo, wronged the captain and was destined to be killed anyways.  As the fight ensues Dantes comes to the point where he could kill Jacopo.  Instead, however, he chooses to spare Jacopo's life and even pleads on his behalf to the captain, thus sparing his own life and Jacopo's.  Amazed at Dante's willingness to spare him, Jacopo devotes his life in service to Dantes.

    
        What an awesome portrayal of our own relationship with Christ!  Christ was wrongly accused, beaten, and killed yet when He could kill us for our sins, He chose instead to show mercy.  What surprises me most about this scene is Jacopo's response.  He was an immoral pirate, a thief, yet he gives his life in service to Dantes after being saved.  He could have very easily said, "Thanks, man!  Catch you around sometime!"  Instead, he recognized the sacrifice that was made and desired to serve in response. 

      
      He faced the same choice we face with regard to service of Christ.  We could look at His sacrifice, accept it, and say, "Hey Jesus, that was really nice of you.  Maybe I'll see you later sometime" or we could choose to say, "Jesus, I am so undeserving of the sacrifice you made for me.  I give my life for you to use as You would see fit.  Let me be of service to You.  Use me, Father."

      
      Am I forced to serve God with my life?  No.  Is it my honor and privilege to allow God to use me for His purposes?  Most definitely.  That is the choice I made, but you get to make this choice for yourself.  No one can force you one way or the other.  Service is a choice.

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. – Romans 15:17

Peace, Quiet, and God

Recently I was going through a time where I was really stressed.  It seemed like everything was coming due at the same time and I had to work nonstop to even begin completing everything on my "to do" list.  I was getting so frustrated and almost depressed because there was so much to do and so little time.  All I really wanted to do was crawl under my covers and sleep, take a walk, read a book, watch a movie, anything other than those things I "had" to do.  It was during this time that God started to speak to me about something I had often heard of, but had never truly followed . . . Sabbath.

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.  ~ Genesis 2:3

God is the all-powerful creator of the universe.  Do you think He really needed to take a break?  I believe God used this as an example for us.  We are not meant to work non-stop.  We need breaks.  Throughout the Old Testament, and into the New Testament, we see the importance of the Sabbath day.  It was a time for the people of God to rest in His Presence without working.  I love how Deitrich Bonhoeffer discussed the Sabbath.  He wrote there is "no commandment to work, but there is a commandment to rest from work . . . God knows that the work we do can gain so much power over us we can no longer leave it alone . . . It is not work that supports us, but God alone . . . The Sabbath rest is the visible sign that human beings live by the grace of God and not by works . . . "

Perhaps you're like me, a workaholic.  I can't seem to stop working.  If there is something to be done I'll keep working until it's completed.  The problem is there is always something to be done!  As Bonhoeffer wrote, work had power over me and I could not leave it alone.  It was at this time that God really began encouraging me to take a weekly Sabbath. 

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.  When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.  Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."  But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."  The man asked him, "What is your name?"  "Jacob," he answered.  Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." ~ Genesis 32:24-28

After [Jesus] had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray.  Later that night, He was there alone.  ~ Matthew 14:23

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.  ~ Mark 1:35

Do you notice a trend?  In each instance, and there are plenty more, we see the person by themselves and the passing of time.  In determining how God wanted me to spend my Sabbath He reminded me of two very important things. 

First, Sabbath isn't simply not working, it is actively taking time to spend with the Lord.  This is time that is set aside to spend with God.  Often we hear Sabbath in regard to not working, but it is so much more than that.  Yes, you aren't working, but that time is not replaced with just any leisure activity you choose.  This time needs to be spent with God.  In taking time to worship Your God He will refresh you and prepare you for the week to come. 

Second, Sabbath isn't to be rushed.  Not that I have already obtained this (Phil 3:13), but let me share what I've been doing as part of my observance of the Sabbath.  I live fairly near a state park so on Saturday afternoon I take my Bible and go for a walk.  I walk a pretty long distance, but here's the key – I don't wear a watch, my phone is on silent, I don't take people with me.  I've gotten into calling these my God walks.  It's a time where I can come before God without the distractions of my normal day.  There are no time limits or deadlines set on me, no amount of Scripture that I have to read before I say it's done.  No two walks are ever the same.  Each time God has something new to speak to me about.  And when I get away from the noise of my life and focus solely on Him it's amazing how much clearer His voice is, how the normal, everyday stresses seem so much smaller, and how He prepares me for the week by filling me anew with strength, courage, and peace.  As with Jacob in Genesis 32, I have come to find that when we take time with God and give Him our focus He will speak to you and bless that time you have given Him.  Never think of it as a waste of time that you could be doing other work.  When you give to the Lord I firmly believe that He blesses your offering if it is given with a sincere heart.  So many times I have taken time with God when I really didn't have it to give and suddenly my work went so much faster and I was much more efficient that I had been before.

It's not always easy, but I encourage you to pray about taking a Sabbath.  Take some time to just spend with God.  Get away from the distractions and listen to Him.  We all need time of peace, quiet, and God.

Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath . . . ~ Exodus 16:29a