We all know that it's important to have a Sabbath, a time of rest, a break from our regular insanely busy schedules, a time set aside to be with the Lord, but boy, is it hard to do! Here are five simple steps to get started in establishing your Sabbath.

1-Find a place (or places). Sitting in your kitchen and letting your dirty dishes taunt you is probably not the best place. If you love your home or can't get away, is there a clean room or mostly clean room that you love? Or do you have a comfy chair that you can just sit and be with the Lord? If you don't want to be home, maybe you live near a park or beach, and that can be your special place away.

2-Grab a devotional or journal. If you know you're the type of person who needs guidance, grab a devotional or journal. (And While We Wait has plenty of options!) Or maybe your time with the Lord is taking walks or gardening. You may just want to have your Notes app ready on your phone in case you want to write any thoughts down.

3-Plan ahead. If it's hard for you to rest and spend time with God when you have to do laundry, clean, or get something else done, then get it done first! Plan ahead so you're not distracted. Use your time wisely on the other days of the week.

4-Put it on your calendar. Open up your agenda or Calendar app and make an appointment for yourself just like you'd do for anything else. Be intentional about setting that time aside. If someone asks you to do something or something comes up, your answer is you're busy! Protect this time or you will constantly be giving it away.

5-Start small. You may have noticed that I keep using the word time instead of day. I want to encourage you to start small in establishing your Sabbath. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and set too great of goals and then get frustrated and give up. Start with a few hours and build on that. 

I pray that these tips help you establish a time or day of Sabbath. Be proactive in spending time with the Lord and protect that time!

Here is a fun resource for you as we begin our reading in Matthew! Simply save any of the following images to your phone and follow your phone's instructions to set as your wallpaper. Then, you can remind yourself daily of these simple truths we will discover in the book of Matthew.

Thanks for joining, or even thinking of joining, our reading through the book of Mathew this month! There are a few Growth Track options for you depending on your schedule, budget, and level of commitment. Everyone's needs and lives are different so bottom line is that we should be reading God's Word; everything is else is just extra!

Growth Track #1: Read the book of Matthew this month, one chapter per day. That's it and that is a great step! You can even use YouVersion on your phone or tablet and get a reminder each day and check each chapter off as you read it. Here's a great plan to join: YouVersion Matthew Reading Plan

Growth Track #2: Read the book of Matthew this month, one chapter per day, stay accountable with our Facebook group, and check this blog often for resources and insights to dive a little deeper into Matthew! Join the Let's Read Matthew! Group on Facebook.

Growth Track #3: Read the book of Matthew this month, one chapter per day, stay accountable with our Facebook group, and check the blog for resources and insights into Matthew, and...purchase the My Matthew Prayer Journal on Amazon. This journal will be a place to write down verses that stick out to you, personal notes, and a place to journal your prayers.

No matter which Growth Track you choose, I pray that above all, you choose to be in God'w Word and growing closer to Him each day!