Why an Imperfect Sabbath Isn't the End of the Story

By Lauren Ashley Zitek

Sometimes, people ask me… Do you ever mess up with Sabbath? Do you ever skip it? Do you seriously do it every single week?

It’s a good question, and one that’s hard to answer. Our sporadic summer schedule this year offers a glimpse into the way we handle disruptions to our Sabbath routine.

My husband and I are both teachers, and our summers can feel like slamming on the brakes while driving on the highway. It’s a drastic change of pace and a complete upheaval of our schedules. Ironically, our Sabbath practice can be collateral damage.

At the start of the summer, we took a 15-day trip that included Disney World and two beach destinations. About a week after we returned, we went camping with our small group from church over a weekend.

All of these events impacted our Sabbath routine. They each intersected with our Sabbath practice differently, creating tension. How do we balance prioritizing Sabbath with trips and opportunities when there’s no clear formula?

When we went on our trip earlier this summer, we were at Disney World the first Sunday of the trip, when we typically practice Sabbath. Although Disney is “the happiest place on Earth,” it definitely does not radiate Sabbath vibes. We were up early and out late, trying to wring out every ounce of joy we could from our day. It was magical, and after a long day of rides, lines, heat, treats, and photos, we were happy and exhausted. Sometimes trips, events, and other opportunities come up that don’t make sense to pass up. A Disney trip with extended family? What a privilege. We’ll be there.

The next Sunday, we were at the beach. Although we didn’t formally call any day “Sabbath,” our hope was to bring the spirit of Sabbath to that whole portion of the trip. Taking time away from our day-to-day routines, putting our phones away, enjoying our family, spending time with friends, savoring a morning on the beach, taking a nap in the afternoon—this does feel like Sabbath.

A week after we got back from our marathon trip, we packed up to camp with our small group from church, just to round things out. All you fellow-campers out there are questioning my decision-making at this point.

Me camping: what a joy! Also me camping: remind me why we do this?

We reveled in time with our friends and delighted in the joys of camping: time outside, a beautiful sunset, late nights around a fire, and fresh air. It was lovely to connect with our closest friends without interruption. How special to see all ten kids in our small group sipping hot chocolate each morning! (A tradition I grew up with and now force upon every family we camp with.)

Camping also has a way of stretching everyone to their limits. It requires a lot of work and energy. It was windy, and dusty, and there were biting flies. We had to eat dinner in our car one night to prevent the wind from literally blowing the plates out of our hands. So was it Sabbath? Or at least Sabbath-adjacent? Honestly, I’m not sure.

What I do know is that this week, as I set up for our Sabbath, I was all the more eager for a day of rest. A disruption to our Sabbath routine this summer created more anticipation, more eagerness to recalibrate, to rest, to connect, to worship, and to delight.

Disney, the beach, camping. How can we navigate our commitment to Sabbath among these different experiences?

Life will present us with many opportunities. As Sabbath people, when do we say yes, and when do we say no?

Often, we choose to say yes to Sabbath and no to something else. Sometimes, like at Disney World, we have to skip Sabbath for a week. Other times, like a beach vacation, we’re able to intentionally bring Sabbath and all we’ve learned about rest into the place we are going. There are also opportunities that remain in a gray area for me, like camping.

It’s not black and white; we navigate each opportunity one by one, as they come up, against the backdrop of the current season, knowing that Sabbath is a priority.

When the practice gets knocked off course, as it inevitably does from time to time, we name it, we notice it. We reflect and have conversations as we weigh our decisions. We give ourselves grace in the midst of our circumstance. We make a plan to recalibrate.

And, as always, we look forward to the next Sabbath.

Find more from Lauren Zitek at LaurenZitek.com