I HATE the acronym, JOMO. I’m a seize the day, try all of the things, the key to life is doing more, kind of girl.

When I first read of people advocating JOMO (joy of missing out), I cringed and deleted. Not me, sister! Never.

Here’s what changed. Awhile ago I started observing Sabbath.

I had read about it over the years. I had experienced the power of celebrating Shabbat with Jewish families in Jerusalem, but I just didn’t think it was realistic for ME, because…people need me, and I’D BE MISSING OUT ON ALL OF THE THINGS! (insert eye roll) Oh ye of monstrous pride, Laura!

In his book, The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan writes:

”…God, knowing both our need and our folly, took the lead.  He set the example.  Like a parent who coaxes a cranky toddler to lie down for an afternoon nap by lying down beside her, God woos us into rest by resting.

‘For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the 7th day.  Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.’

God commands that we imitate Him in order to discover again that we’re not Him and that we need Him.”

Mark Buchanan

My husband has come to view my phone as an added appendage. So seeing me with out it – relishing a day without texting, podcasts, FaceTime, Instagram, Google maps, Yelp, Email…is like spotting a unicorn.

For me Sabbath means totally unplugging. I thought it would be a pain. I thought it would feel like a legalistic discipline, but the opposite has been true. It is delightfully different! It is a day truly set apart to celebrate the goodness of God…to worship and replenish.

My Sabbath includes worship at church. It may include lunch with friends, a walk on the beach, reading something for fun, playing tennis, lighting candles, eating ice cream.

With Sabbath we open our hands, releasing our death grip on words and worries and work.

Sabbath doesn’t include any “have to’s”. Period.

  • I don’t have to exercise.
  • I don’t have to respond to calls or emails.
  • I don’t have to do laundry.
  • I don’t have to hurry
  • I don’t have to run errands.
  • I don’t have to cook (but if baking is something relaxing and creative I love to do, I can!)

For my friends with kids who observe Sabbath it can include church, a walk to the park, a family game night, reading aloud together…

A man I met in Jerusalem brought his wife a bouquet of flowers each Friday night before sundown when Shabbat started. Sabbath is special. It’sdifferent from any other day. .

One thing I have learned is observing Sabbath requires a little forethought.

You may need to get someone to cover potential work emergencies, and let people closest to you know you won’t have your phone with you. You might want to look through emails to see if there is anything time sensitive. If you want something special to eat or read for Sabbath, make sure you have it.

Maybe through observing Sabbath I’ve experienced JOMO not because I’ve really missed out on something. Instead, I’m learning to live freely and lightly and receiving something better.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Do you observe Sabbath? What does it look like for you?