So… What Does Your Sabbath Actually Look Like?

By Lauren Ashley Zitek

Whenever I meet someone else who practices Sabbath I feel an immediate sense of camaraderie. I love hearing the details about what families do. I want to know the little things… When do your kids wake up? What do you eat? How do you handle technology? I always learn something new.

This article is an overview of what a typical Sabbath looks like in the Zitek household. We’ve been honing this routine for a few years, and have made many adjustments over time. We’ve added several things in and let other elements go.

I hope these ideas serve as a springboard as you create your own meaningful and life-giving Sabbath rhythm. Please know: this is not meant to be a template. Your day may look similar to ours or completely different. Like any spiritual practice, it isn’t one-size-fits-all.

I truly believe: a delightful, restful, God-honoring Sabbath unfolds along a wide and gracious path.

The Set Up

Sabbath begins on Saturday evening for our family. Before we go to bed, we display several meaningful items as a tangible reminder of the special day we are entering into. We spread a beautiful handwoven table runner on our kitchen table. On top, we place a special candle, a kids’ Bible, and a piece of artwork with the lyrics to the doxology. We also have a sign that says, “We rest, we play, no work, God loves us.”

The Morning

For me, waking up on Sabbath is like waking up on Christmas. It feels familiar, quiet, and holy. The first thing I do is light our Sabbath candle—the same one each week—which signals that the day of Sabbath has begun. The scent of the candle and the sound of coffee brewing bring joy to my soul as I anticipate the day.

As soon as our kids wake up, they ask, “Is it Sabbath?!” They stay in their pajamas and watch a few cartoons, which is a true treat in our household.

While they watch their shows, my husband and I drink coffee and finish getting ready. We usually use this time for our weekly gratitude practice. For this, we sit on the floor of our bedroom with our coffee and take turns naming three specific things from the past week for which we are grateful. This routine helps us connect and roots us in contentment, which is a pillar of Sabbath. Our hope is to orient our minds toward the blessings in our lives.

The Sabbath Launch

Next, we move into a routine that we call our “Sabbath Launch” (Sabbath technically began the night before, but this is how we mark the start of the day together.) As a part of the Sabbath Launch, the kids get a treat—maybe cinnamon rolls, sweet cereal, or hot chocolate. The day is brimming with all kinds of routines that bring delight and joy.

For the Sabbath Launch, we begin by asking each child, “What do we do on Sabbath?” They respond, “We rest, we play, no work, God loves us.” Our family then sings the doxology together.

Next, we bless our children. Each week, my husband and I take turns affirming Addison and Silas. This is one of my favorite parts of the whole day. I love seeing my daughter’s eyes light up as we tell her that we’re proud of the way she persevered in gymnastics, celebrate her natural curiosity when she stopped to examine the ladybug, or affirm her integrity when she chose to tell the truth. This ritual gives our children a consistent opportunity to hear words of encouragement from us.

After the blessing, we read a story from the Jesus Storybook Bible while the kids eat breakfast.

All of these traditions help make the day feel set apart and joyful, especially for our kids. We have experimented with different rhythms as a part of our Sabbath launch over the last few years, but this routine has been the one that’s stuck. It’s predictable, simple, and (importantly) short! For our three-year-old and five-year-old, it’s just the right length. As they get older, we may incorporate other elements as well.

After the Sabbath Launch, we pull out a bin of “Sabbath toys,” which are toys set aside just for this day. When we first put this together, we simply gathered up toys that the kids didn’t often use, but over time we’ve added a few special ones.

Right now, our Sabbath toys include an imaginative play sandwich-making set, play camping gear, an animal safari bus, a marble run set, and a hand-held toy that has games for preschoolers (that we can only tolerate in moderation), among other things. The novelty of these toys makes them all the more enticing and engaging for the kids.

During this time, my husband and I try to be fully present, whether we’re deep in a sandwich-shop game, or simply watching the kids play while we talk together. Without our phones, we can simply watch our kids play, talk, and enjoy the moment.

Around 10:30, we get ready for church and attend together as part of our Sabbath rhythm. We love our church community and often linger at the playground after the service to catch up with friends.

The Afternoon

When we return home, we keep lunch simple—often mac and cheese or grilled cheese. Dessert is essential too, of course. In the afternoon, we rest and play. The kids have quiet time in their rooms. They can nap or play quietly.

During this time, Tyler and I usually take a nap. I eat a piece of dark chocolate after my nap. Over the course of the afternoon, I might read, journal, or bake sourdough. I try to go for a slow walk every Sabbath. Without a podcast or music playing, I am more present. I am consistently amazed by the amount of birdsong there is in our neighborhood.

We try to spend time outside when possible—we play in our backyard, go on a walk, ride bikes, or linger in the sun. (You can find my husband and daughter simply sitting and soaking up the sun if it’s over 60 degrees outside.) Occasionally we get ice cream.

On Sunday evenings, we sometimes spend time with close friends or gather with our small group, which meets every other week. This group feels life-giving and refreshing, not draining. If we host or bring food, we keep it simple and prepare ahead when we can.

One of my goals is to incorporate a simple closing rhythm—a way to mark the end of Sabbath. This will help us transition back into the week and thank God for the gift of rest. Check back with me in a few months—I may have come up with something!

A Few Final Thoughts

Let me be clear: Sabbath does not always unfold perfectly in our home. Sometimes one of our children has an hour-long tantrum. Sometimes one of us feels grumpy or frustrated. For a period of several months, our son (age three) sang the doxology by repeating the words “smashed potato” over and over during our Sabbath Launch. (We opted to ignore this and, you’ll be happy to hear, it eventually resolved itself!)

Sabbath meets us in our real lives, not our idealized, picture-perfect ones. Caretaking doesn’t stop on the Sabbath. You may find us wiping noses, opening snacks, or calming a crying child. And yet, there is so much beauty here. In this season of life with children—amidst the delight, the frustration, and the mundane cycle of caretaking—we remember that God is providing richly for us.

The beauty of the Sabbath is that it’s one-seventh of our lives. There is ample time, space, and grace for us to grow into this practice and to experience the beauty of this day. My hope is that all who long for more rest, rootedness, connection, contentment, and worship will find themselves drawn into this rich practice.

If you and your family practice Sabbath, I’d love to hear the details of your day as well! Leave a comment or send a message.

Connect with me at LaurenZitek.com