Rest and Sabbath for Weary Souls

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Rest and Sabbath for Weary Souls

Welcome to Rest and Sabbath

April was a month of letting go. We were walking through the Easter story. I hope you managed to open your hands and letting God in.

We’re moving into winter, as you can see the days are getting shorter and the evenings are coming in early. Everything wants to slow down. I used to rush through these moments instead of taking a moment and standing still.

This year I’m listening instead.

I think the tiredness is trying to tell me something. Autumn is nature’s way of resting before winter maybe just maybe I need this too. Not a holiday I have to plan just a space I can rest in.

This month I’m holding onto this verse:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

He doesn’t say “come once you’ve finished everything”. He just says come.

This is my personal invitation to you to come and explore with me journaling prompts for rest and Sabbath.

Setting the Vibe: My Intentions for the Month

This month, I’m focusing on rest that feels restorative, I’m taking away the guilt. Here’s what’s on my mind:

  • My Main Intention for May: To build one Sabbath practice into my week. A few hours where I don’t produce, fix or achieve anything.
  • A Rhythm for My Body: Going to bed earlier as the nights get longer. Warm socks, a hot water bottle and no screens for the last half hour.
  • A Rhythm for My Mind: One evening a week with nothing planned. No catching up, no admin just being with myself.
  • A Rhythm for My Soul: Saying no. Every no protects a yes to rest.

I’ll also be tracking my rest this month. Just a quick note each evening: “rested”, “pushed through”, “needed more”. I want to see where I’m running on empty.

My Weekly Journaling Prompts

Here’s how I’m breaking down the month. Just a few minutes each day to come to Him and rest.

Week 1: Noticing My Tiredness (1 to 7 May)

We can’t rest well until we’re honest about how tired we are.

How tired am I really? What kind of tired is it, body, mind, heart or soul?

  • Describe your energy this week using a weather forecast. Cloudy? Stormy? Drizzle?
  • What is draining you most right now?
  • Where do you feel tiredness in your body? Your shoulders, your eyes, your chest?
  • What do you tell yourself when you feel tired? Is it kind or harsh?
  • What would you do with a completely free afternoon?

Weekly Reflection: What did you learn about your tiredness this week? Was there anything you’d been ignoring?

Week 2: Permission to Rest (8 to 14 May)

Many of us need permission to stop. This week, let’s give it to ourselves.

What makes me feel guilty when I rest and is that guilt telling the truth?

  • Where did you learn that rest has to be earned?
  • What would your life look like if rest came first, not last?
  • Write yourself a permission slip to rest this week. Be specific.
  • What does true, soul-deep rest feel like for you? (It might not be sleep.)
  • Rest for thirty minutes today without doing anything useful. How did it feel?

Weekly Reflection: Did giving yourself permission to rest change anything this week?

Week 3: Sabbath Rhythms (15 to 21 May)

Sabbath is a gift, not a rule. This week, let’s explore what it could look like for us.

What would a Sabbath rhythm look like in my real, everyday life, not a perfect one?

  • What brings your soul joy and refreshment? Make a list.
  • What would you need to stop doing to make space for Sabbath?
  • Plan a mini Sabbath this week. When, where and what would you do (or not do)?
  • After your mini Sabbath, write about it. What felt good? What felt hard?
  • How might a weekly Sabbath change the rest of your week?

Weekly Reflection: What is one Sabbath practice you’d like to keep?

Week 4: Boundaries That Protect (22 to 28 May)

Rest needs protecting. This week is about the boundaries that keep it safe.

Where do I need a boundary to protect my rest, my peace or my time with God?

  • When did you last say yes when you wanted to say no? What happened?
  • What is one boundary you need to set this week? Write out how you might say it.
  • Who in your life respects your rest? Who tends to pull you away from it?
  • What role does your phone play in your rest (or your lack of it)?
  • What would it feel like to protect your quiet, without apologising for it?

Weekly Reflection: How did setting a boundary feel this week? Freeing, scary, or both?

Week 5: Coming to Him (29 to 31 May)

As the month ends, let’s come back to the invitation that started it all.

What does it mean for me to come to Jesus with my heavy burdens?

  • Read back through your rest tracker. What patterns do you see?
  • Write a list of the burdens you want to hand over to Him.
  • Write a short prayer of rest for the winter ahead.

Weekly Reflection: How has your understanding of rest changed this month?

Wrapping it Up: End-of-Month Reflection

At the end of the month, I’ll take a moment to reflect, no judgement, just curiosity:

  • When did I feel most rested this month?
  • When did I push through and what did it cost me?
  • What is one rest rhythm I want to carry with me into June?

I hope this gives you permission to slow down and breathe. Here’s to resting well and coming to Him just as we are.

With love, Debbera