By Emily Saunders

I’m not sure about you, but in my house Sundays used to be a crazy day of errands, catch up, food prep, laundry, planning for the week etc. to the point that I started Monday in need of another weekend.  I know that God designed Sundays as a day of rest, but for years I somehow felt “too busy” to make time to rest.

Over the last year or so God has really convicted us as a family to use Sunday as a time to spend together as a family and to REST and allow him to restore us both physically and spiritually.  Now, I’m not saying that this means I nap all afternoon and don’t lift a finger around the house, but the overall pace of the day is much slower than it used to be allowing time to spend with God and just to let my over-worked brain recover.  I’m naturally a “do-er” meaning that there is rarely a day that passes that I don’t schedule an activity, but as I’ve implemented a low-key Sunday approach I have begun to better understand God’s design for rest.

A few ideas to declare Sunday Sacred and Set Apart from the rest of the week.  This is NOT about rules or being legalistic, but instead setting Sunday apart to honor God and his plan for this day.

1.  REST.  While I realize that you might want to slap me back to reality with the fact that you’re a MOM and you don’t just get to take naps, I get it.  I rarely nap either.  I do try to spend some time reading or just relaxing both my body and my mind.

We often go for slow leisure walks or just hang out outside on a blanket while the little guy plays.  As kids grow older they will recognize a difference in the pace of the day.  They will recognize your stillness.   You set the tone for the family.  What relaxes you?  Do it!

2.  Go to Church.  This might seem obvious or it might make you feel on edge.  It’s easy to “fall out of the habit” of attending church regularly.  Whether a new baby, traveling soccer schedules, turmoil among the people in your church or just not being able to get teenagers out of bed without a fight-it’s not easy.

But sometimes we have to do hard things.  Don’t worry about what the kids are wearing or how they are behaving.  Many churches have wonderful kids programs that make church fun for them and allow you to enjoy the sermon without boiling with frustration from a little foot kicking the pew.  Going to church immediately sets the tone for the day.

If you’re out of town a lot visit local churches or have church in your hotel room with a devotion or recorded sermon and some worship songs.  We love visiting churches when we travel!

3.  Adopt a Family Activity.  Maybe you play a fun game before dinner on Sundays or you always go on a leisure walk or visit a playground or you have a special devotion time.  Maybe you serve together a few times per month or get together with friends after church.  Changing the pace of running from school to activity to work is healthy for everyone and can inspire the lost art of of tradition.

4.  Eat Special Food.  Ok don’t freak out.  I don’t cook lunch on Sundays and I’m not asking you to.  We almost always have lunch out with friends on Sunday afternoons.  Often times we’ll have a leisurely dinner from the grill.  It’s a nice time to catch up and kids usually enjoy it too.  If you’re more of the cooking type (as in cooking RELAXES you) then go for it.  It’s about community and family time 

5.  Make Bedtime Devotion Time.   Sundays are a great time to spend a little extra time in the Word.  Teach your children the importance of such time by reading a special family devotion or story together.  Make it extra special by acting out parts and asking questions rather than rushing through.  Allow your kids to tell the story or do the reading.

How do you declare Sundays sacred?  Share your family’s tips and ideas with us on Facebook!