Sabbath is an important Biblical practice of resting and remembering God. As you move into summer, consider this season a time of Sabbath. In addition to the typical activities we think about with summer–vacation, camps, camping, home projects, reading–what other ways might you find rest?

Traci Smith in Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home offers these  One-Minute Sabbaths suggestions in the chapter entitled Sabbath: Celebrate a Mini-Sabbath.

• *Breathe in and out for one minute. As you breathe in, this to yourself, ‘I am breathing in God’s love.’ As you breathe out, think, ‘I am breathing out worry and fear.’
• Go outside and notice what the weather is like. Is it hot on your skin, or cold? Is it raining or sunny? Notice what the day has to offer and what nature you see. If it is night, notice the moon and the stars.
• Write down (or say) three things you are grateful for.
• Read a Psalm.
• Stretch as high as you can and then scrunch down as low as you can. Repeat for one minute.
• Take one minute to tidy up some space inside or outside. Notice how a tidier space helps you feel calmer.
• Close your eye and thing about a rainbow, a sunset, or other beautiful scene in nature.
• Focus on all of the sounds you can hear in thirty seconds. Jot them down, or talk about them with someone else.
• Jump up and down for 20-30 seconds. Notice your breathing and put your hand over your heart to feel your heartbeat.
• Squeeze hands into strong fists, then relax them. Repeat for one minute.

Even just a one minute Sabbath can help you to rest and remember God. Even if your summer is busy, take one minute, on a regular basis, to rest and remember God.