The Daily Sabbath: Living in God’s Rhythm

Denise Jelinek suggests that Sabbath isn’t just a day — it’s a daily return to peace, presence, and God.  

I want to tell you how this article came to be. 

It started while I was journaling with the Lord on a Sunday, reflecting how Sunday is not a day for me to “get ready for the week” or to “strive for progress,” even spiritual progress. Rather, it’s a day for me to rest in Him, to be refreshed in His presence. A day free from the distractions and demands of everyday life.   

That’s when it hit me. He is calling me to this every day. Calling me to not be distracted by the demands and necessities of everyday life. He is calling me to be connected with Him every moment of every day — not just Sunday. 

I can have daily Sabbaths (a set apart time for rest, worship, and connection with God) every day, and all it requires is setting my heart on that. 

A daily Sabbath is a sacred pause. A deep inhale of grace. A moment to realign with God — not just once a week, but right in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon. 

What Is a Daily Sabbath? 

A daily Sabbath is a pause to realign myself with God. It’s a spiritual posture more than a scheduled event. 

And here's the beautiful part: I don’t have to wait until Sunday. 

As Catholic moms, we are His precious daughters and we’re invited to live differently. The world might measure success by hustle, productivity, or perfect homes. But we live by another rhythm. A divine rhythm. And in that rhythm, rest is not a reward for doing enough. 

Rest is our starting place. 

What This Looks Like (For Real Moms Like Us) 

Let me paint a few pictures for you. 

• A mom of littles pauses while folding laundry and breathes: “Jesus, I choose Your peace.”  
• A woman driving to work turns off the podcast, lets the silence in, and prays: “I trust You with this day.”  
• A grandma in her kitchen, feeling lonely, whispers: “Come be with me, Lord. I receive Your companionship.”  
• A mom facing the fridge at 8 PM pauses — instead of diving in — and says: “I don’t need food right now, I need You.” 

These are not big mountaintop moments. They’re ordinary. Hidden. But powerful. 

This is the Daily Sabbath Mindset. 

The Mindset of a Catholic Mom 

Here’s what she lives by: 
“I rest not because I’m done, but because I want to connect with Him.” 
“I pause not because I earned it, but because I was created for it.” 
“I don’t need to fix, prove, or perform — I only need to seek His presence.” 

And maybe the most important one of all: 
"My peace is not found in how the day goes. My peace is found in who holds it. I can be at peace no matter what is happening around me." 

This is Sabbath in the everyday. 

The Practice of Pausing 

Here are some ways you can begin practicing a daily Sabbath: 

Light a candle while you cook and turn your kitchen into a sanctuary. 
Set a reminder on your phone every afternoon: “Pause. Breathe. Receive.” 
Begin a practice of closing your eyes and saying, “Jesus, I’m here. Be here with me.” 
Pray one decade of the Rosary slowly, meditatively. 
Take three minutes to read just one Scripture verse and let it sit with you all day. 

My personal favorite is dedicating the first five minutes of meals I eat alone to Him. I pull out a notebook and give Jesus my full attention in a “journaling conversation” with Him.  

Final Thought 

You don’t have to earn Sabbath. You don’t need to deserve a pause. 

You are invited. Every single day. At any time of the day. 

And when you live this way, with a heart rooted in these sacred pauses, you begin to notice the world slows down. Not because it changes, but because you do. 

That’s what inviting God into your heart does: He transforms you. 

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Denise Jelinek
Images: Canva