Isn’t summer supposed to mean a break from the fast pace we keep for the rest of the year? How about a Summer Sabbath to remind us it’s ok to slow down, and rest in the Lord.

Tired Yet? Same…

Can you believe it?! August is here. I hope your summer was FULL in the way of long days and late nights, extra scoops of ice cream, pool time and overflowing calendars with opportunities of fun.

When I look back on my family’s summer, I’m hit with a strange mix of satisfaction but also a feeling of burnout after trying to make ALL the exciting, fun, and spontaneous activities happen.

On one hand, summer is a season that invites us to slow down and enjoy the longer nights, to ride bikes and play outside after dinner, and to make memories that outlast the bug bites. On the other hand, the very freedom of summer often turns into pressure. Pressure to make it count, fill every day, say yes to everything, and make the most of it all. I imagine my kids running back to school, completely worn out from all the fun, but sometimes, it feels like we’re just worn out, period.

Somehow, in a season meant for rest, we end up even more tired. Yep, that’s us.

But here’s the good news: summer’s not over yet. There’s still time for a reset.
That’s why we need a Summer Sabbath, not just a day off, but a spiritual reset. It’s an invitation to let go of the pressure and reconnect with the rhythms of rest and trust that God designed us for.

What is Sabbath?

Sabbath is more than just a Sunday nap or a quiet day. It’s a holy rhythm of stopping. God modeled it Himself in the very beginning:

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy…”—Genesis 2:2–3 (NIV)

God didn’t rest because He was tired; He rested to set the rhythm for His creation. He knew we would need regular, intentional pauses to reconnect with Him, realign our souls, and remember who we are apart from our work, our to-do lists, and our constant striving.

The Hebrew word for Sabbath, Shabbat, literally means “to stop.” It’s the sacred space where we stop working, stop producing, stop comparing, and stop performing. Now to me, that kind of rest sounds like heaven!

Summer is the perfect time for Sabbath!

Let’s be honest. The summer schedule can be weird. Some days are wide open and lazy. Others are jam-packed. The routines that hold our year together get tossed out the window, and we’re left trying to balance spontaneity with sanity.

That’s why Sabbath can be so grounding. It gives you a gentle rhythm when life feels scattered. It’s not about being super spiritual, it’s about making space for your soul to breathe.

Here’s what makes Summer Sabbath especially powerful:

It gives your soul room.

Life doesn’t stop in the summer, it just shifts. Whether you’re carting kids to swim lessons or trying to balance vacation days with your job, it can all feel like a lot.

Even Jesus, who had more to do than any of us, took time to step away:

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” —Luke 5:16 (NIV)

If Jesus needed space, we sure do! Sabbath gives us permission to unplug, unwind, and actually notice what’s going on in our hearts, not just our calendars.

It helps you let go of the pressure.

You don’t have to create a Pinterest-perfect summer. You don’t need a bucket list a mile long. Your kids don’t need a full-time cruise director. They just need you, rested, present, and not running on fumes.

Sabbath reminds us that our worth isn’t in what we do or how much we produce. It’s in who we are: children of a God who calls rest good.

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night… for God gives rest to his loved ones.” —Psalm 127:2 (NLT)

What if the most “productive” thing you do this summer is rest well?  Sign me up!

So…What Can Summer Sabbath Look Like?

Here’s the good news: summer isn’t over, and sabbath doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not about rules, it’s about rhythms.

It can look like a full day once a week or just moments woven into each day. It’s more about intention than perfection. Here are a few simple ways to practice Sabbath this summer:

Pick a Time To Pause

Maybe Sunday afternoons become your slow time. Or maybe it’s Friday night pizza on the back deck with no screens. Choose a few hours that feel like exhale time and protect them.

Do less, enjoy more.

Don’t overthink it. Sabbath might mean taking a nap, going for a walk, playing a board game, or enjoy a fun hobby…just do something life-giving! The goal? Enjoy what God’s already given you.

Make it fun for your family.

If you’ve got kids, make Sabbath something they look forward to. Turn on your favorite Christian artist, pull out a board game, and do highs and lows around the table. Keep it simple and joyful.

Unplug a little.

Put your phone down! Sabbath is a great time to disconnect from the noise, especially the kind that lives in your phone. Even an hour without screens can help you be more present with God and the people in front of you.

Talk to God.

Sabbath isn’t just about rest, it’s about reconnection. Talk to God. Listen. Thank Him. Breathe deeply and remember you’re not in control, and that’s actually really freeing.

Say YES to Rest!

Jesus didn’t say, “Come to me when you’ve got it all together.” He said:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Friend, you don’t have to earn rest. You’re invited into it. Praise the Lord!

This summer, give yourself permission to pause. Take the nap. Leave the dishes. Say no to the extra thing. Say yes to rest. Let your porch become a place of worship. Give your heart time to settle down.

Let Sabbath remind you that you are already enough—because you are already His.