Simply Sabbath
The podcast
If you feel like you are about to break from exhaustion, allow me to invite you to Simply Sabbath, the podcast for the burnt-out Christian mom. Listen in for thoughts about Sabbath, tips for implementing it into your week, and stories from other moms who have also embraced this gift of rest from their Creator.
***No new episodes will be added to the podcast after January 2023 but you can still access past episodes.
Final Episode:
Past Episodes
Seven Final Thoughts about Keeping the Sabbath
About the EpisodeToday will be the last new episode added to the podcast for a while. God has prompted me to move the podcast into a state of rest for the time being. To wrap things up, I am sharing seven final thoughts I have about the Sabbath and practicing it as a...
Ep 46: Sabbath & a Life of Abundance with Jazmin N. Frank
About the EpisodeSabbath is often associated with limitations, but today’s guest Jazmin N. Frank suggests that Sabbath is actually tied more to abundance than lack. About My Guest Jazmin N. Frank is a Bible teacher and faith mentor. With a focus on building...
Ep 45: Sabbath & the Single Mom with Lynn Matthews
About the EpisodeIn this episode, Rachel and Lynn Matthews discuss the unique challenges facing single moms who want to observe a sabbath rest. About My Guest Lynn Matthews is a remarried widow, empty nester, community service chaplain, and daughter of the...
Ep 44: Self-care and Sabbath with Katie Pozzuoli
About the EpisodeMoms have such a love-hate relationship with the idea of self-care. They know they need it but feel guilty about taking it. Today, my guest Katie Pozzuoli is talk with us about how self-care practices fit in nicely into the framework of Sabbath....
Ep 43: The Flexibility of Sabbath with Anna Kettle
About the EpisodeBecause our culture does not practice Sabbath together in a specific way, not even our church culture, we have to approach Sabbath with a very individualist view of it. What rest looks like for one may not be what rest looks like for another. My guest...
Ep 42: Sabbath as a Business Owner with Valerie Woerner
About the EpisodeThese days, Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby are the odd ones out when it comes to closing your business down one day a week. And even more rare is an online shop “closing” for a day. But, that’s exactly what Valerie Woerner does each week for her business...
Ep 41: Sabbath & Ministry Burnout with Elisa Johnston
About the EpisodeBurnout. It’s real and it’s happening in our churches, our nonprofits, our ministries, and our missional living. We want to do good and make a change in our community, but often, serving others takes more out of us than we’re ready for emotionally,...
Ep 40: Ministry Leaders & Sabbath with Cristi Schroeder
About the EpisodeHow do you Sabbath when your job happens on Sabbath? Today, my guest Cristi Schroeder talks with me about the importance of rest for Ministry and Church staff and how they can practically accomplish it. About My Guest Cristi Schroeder is a...
Ep 39: The 5Rs of Sabbath Rest
About the EpisodeWhat exactly is true rest? Is it self-care, soul-care, or spiritual-care? Is there an absolute in the way we're supposed to rest? Or is it whatever we feel like doing? In this episode, I'm going to cover the 5Rs, or five components, that I believe are...
Ep 38: 7 Ways Sabbath Helps Us Navigate Tragedy
About the EpisodeChurch abuse, hate crimes, school shootings, the news this week has announced more than one tragedy in the US. In other parts of the world, wars raged on and catastrophic events claimed lives. It can all feel very overwhelming, devastating, and...
Ep 37: Learning to Embrace Sabbath with Lisa Garon
About the EpisodeIt's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that in order to practice Sabbath, you have to do it perfectly from the get-go. My guest today, Lisa Garon, explains the slow progression of how she learned (and is learning) to really embrace Sabbath into...
Ep 36: Should Christians Observe Sabbath? (pt. 2)
About the EpisodeThis week, we pick up the conversation about if Christians should observe Sabbath. We're answering the questions: if we observe Sabbath, are we being legalistic? Didn't Jesus get rid of the Sabbath? Sabbath applied only to Jews, right? Are we missing...
Ep 35: A Prayer for Those Still Striving
About the EpisodeIn this episode. I want to pray for those of us who find ourselves still striving for God's favor. Those of us who know that we are saved by grace through faith. And yet, yet, there's still a little bit of us that thinks that it's up to us. That it's...
Ep 34: Should Christians Observe Sabbath (pt. 1)
About the EpisodeIf I tell a mom she needs to rest regularly, she nods her head in a agreement. But, the moment I use the word "sabbath" it's like I've opened a can of worms... worms that have lots of questions about the properness and legitimacy of Christians...
Ep 33: Breaking Free of the Productivity Cycle
About the EpisodeIt's a sneaky thing, the productivity cycle. It always starts with our good intentions. We start a task, accomplish it, feel a win of sorts, move onto the next task, and the process repeats. Soon, we are caught up in the cycle to the point that when...
Episode 32: Sabbath in Different Seasons with Melissa Dyer
About the EpisodeThe life of a busy mom is an ever changing one. With new seasons come changes to your schedules, new challenges from your family, different expectations for your spiritual growth, and unique needs that weren't part of "the plan." Being flexible is the...
Episode 31: 5 Tips for Reconnecting as a Family during Sabbath
About the EpisodeIn His directions to the Israelites concerning Sabbath, God outlines a rest that is community-focused in general and family-focused in particular. For the busy Christian mom contemplating how to cultivate a culture of family rest and connection during...
Episode 30: A Prayer for Connection this Sabbath
About the EpisodeValentine's Day may have been back at the beginning of the week, but we can still bring the spirit of connection into this weekend. As we welcome the Sabbath, would you join me in praying for the ability to embrace learning how to rest together as a...
Episode 29: Observing Sabbath as a Couple with Nancy Lerma
About the EpisodeWhile my conversation with Nancy Lerma started out talking about how she and her husband just recently started observing Sabbath, it led to a deeper reflection and advice about treating Sabbath as a gift, connecting as a couple, and being a leader as...
Episode 28: 5 Tips for Connecting with Your Spouse during Sabbath
About the EpisodeToday is Valentine's day and I thought it would be a great day to talk about how you can reconnect with your spouse during your Sabbath practice! I don't know about you, but there have been times when my husband and I have been so busy that we just...
Episode 27: A Prayer for the Mom Who Feels Like Something is Missing
About the EpisodeYou move through this life trying to get things on your to-do list done, trying to care for the needs of those around you, care for the needs of those that depend upon you. You feel the weight of responsibility, it's heavy, it's taxing. You wouldn't...
Episode 26: 6 Tips for Soul Care during Sabbath
About the EpisodeAs a follow up to our conversation in Episode 25 about practicing soul care within the safe space of Sabbath, I wanted to share a few tips I've stumbled across over the years. I hope these six pieces of advice give you a springboard for designing a...
Episode 25: What Sabbath Teaches Us about Mom Guilt & Soul Care
About the EpisodeMom guilt. It's real and it's awful. We deal with it on a daily basis. We're not doing enough, we're not enough. And when we bring in the conversation of soul care, the mom guilt flares up. How can we focus on doing things that make us feel "alive"...
Episode 24: A Prayer for the Joyless Mom
About the EpisodeI'm so guilty of moving through my week at a breakneck sped trying to get through to the weekend. And then, once I'm there, I feel like I'm still wired for productivity when I should be relaxing into a time of rest. My mind stays on my to-do list...
Episode 23: Daily Sabbath Rhythms with Angie Gibbons
About the EpisodeMy guest today, Angie Gibbons, gets the importance of rest-- she's created an app designed to help you put a rhythm of rest and connection with God into your every day-- which is why I was so excited to sit down with her and discuss what Sabbath looks...
Episode 22: Am I Being Selfish?
About the EpisodeHang on tight, I get a little fired up in this episode! I'm diving into the question moms often ask themselves when considering self-care, soul-care, and Sabbath practices: "am I being selfish?" Of course, I think the answer is a resounding "no,...
Episode 21: A Prayer for the Distracted Mom
About the EpisodeI'm so guilty of moving through my week at a breakneck sped trying to get through to the weekend. And then, once I'm there, I feel like I'm still wired for productivity when I should be relaxing into a time of rest. My mind stays on my to-do list...
Episode 20: Taking a Digital Sabbath with Susan Arico
About the EpisodeDigital Sabbath. You've probably heard the term and like me, it intrigued you. What exactly is a digital Sabbath? How does it work? Why is it helpful and how can it fit into our bigger Sabbath practice? We're going to get into all of that today with...
Episode 19: The Dos and Don’ts of Sabbath
About the EpisodeDid you know that when God gave the Israelites the command to observe Sabbath, he didn't give them an extensive list of dos and don'ts? The "rules" that we typically think of when we think of Sabbath were the result of well-meaning Jewish religious...
Episode 18: A Prayer for the Mom who is Sick
About the Episode"I don't have time to get sick!" How many times have you said this phrase? As if there ever was a good time to get sick! But, moms always seem to be surprised by sickness and annoyed by it. This week, I was hit with sickness and found myself uttering...
Episode 17: Sabbath & Your Enneagram Number with Jenn Whitmer
About the EpisodeHow do you know what your soul needs to rest? Is it having alone time? Is it taking a walk in nature? Is it meeting with a friend over coffee? My guest today, Jenn Whitmer, suggests three ways of resting, Stillness, Silence, and Solitude, and how we...
Episode 16: Self-care, Soul-care, and the Sabbath
About the EpisodeAt first glance, it might be able to lump self-care, soul-care, and Sabbath all into the same category: something that helps a mom not burn out. But, they actually all serve a different purpose and all are necessary to a well-balanced life. Listen...
Episode 15: A Prayer for After the Holidays
About the EpisodeIt can be difficult reentering the work week after having multiple days off for the holidays. Listen in as I pray a prayer over those of us moms who are crossing the finish line of the work week exhausted and longing for rest.ListenWatchYou're...
Episode 14: Anxiety, Overwhelm, and the Practice of Sabbath with Nicole Fryling
About the EpisodeAnxiety and overwhelm are common companions for the busy Christian mom and only add fuel to the already raging fire of exhaustion and burn-out. But, what can we do about it? Well, today's guest Nicole Fryling, a licensed mental-health counselor,...
Episode 13: Structuring Your Sabbath Practice
About the EpisodeYour Sabbath practice needs structure to it. Yep, even for those of you who are a bit more free-spirited in nature. In this episode, I explain why and offer three tips for structuring your Sabbath practice!ListenWatchThis is the Simply Sabbath...
Episode 12: A Sabbath Prayer for the New Year
About the EpisodeToday is Christmas Eve and I want to pray for rest for those of us moms who are feeling the pressure to make this "the best Christmas ever." If that's you, I hope you'll listen in.ListenWatchYou're listening to episode 12 of the simply Sabbath...
Episode 11: Prayer and Sabbath with Lanie Ehlinger
About the EpisodeI have never associated prayer with rest, but for Lanie Ehlinger, it is a key component of her Sabbath practice. And it's not just prayer for herself; Lanie's prayer time focuses mainly on others. Until our conversation, I hadn't even considered that...
Episode 10: What Exactly is Work?
About the EpisodeWhat exactly is work? We have so much work to-do as moms and some of it feels like we can't put it down. So how can we stop and rest? How can we take a Sabbath when we're not even really sure what counts as work and what doesn't?ListenWatchYou're...
Episode 09: A Prayer for Rest this Christmas
About the EpisodeToday is Christmas Eve and I want to pray for rest for those of us moms who are feeling the pressure to make this "the best Christmas ever." If that's you, I hope you'll listen in.ListenWatchThis is the Simply Sabbath podcast. You're listening to...
Episode 08: Creating a Culture of Rest with the Shabbat Meal
About the EpisodeWhen we practice a weekly Sabbath in our homes, we go against the flow of our culture, and so we have to actively create a culture that celebrates a rhythm of rest and connecting with God and others. The Shabbat meal is one way in which you can...
Episode 07: Sabbath and the Christmas Story
About the EpisodeWe often don't think of the word Sabbath when we talk about Christmas and the birth of Jesus, but actually, the two are closely related. And even though some have pointed to Jesus as a reason to ignore the Sabbath, you really can't have one without...
Episode 06: A Prayer for the Courage to Rest
About the EpisodeIt can be scary to put down the to-do list and step away from the things you've left undone for the week. Join me as I pray for us to have the courage to rest this Sabbath.Listen
Episode 05: Taking a 24-Hour Sabbath with Melanie Zeeb
About the EpisodeCan you really Sabbath for an entire 24-hours as a mom with littles? The answer is a resounding "yes!" My friend, Melanie Zeeb is on the podcast today sharing what her 24-hours looks like and some of the things she's learned over the past few years of...
Episode 04: Rethinking Your Weekly Schedule
About the EpisodeHow can a mom find time to rest, when she can barely find time to do all the things she needs to do? What if I told you the cultural norm of 5-day work week and 2-day weekend actually makes it harder for you to accomplish your to-do list each week? Or...
Episode 03: A Prayer for You as You Approach the Sabbath
About the EpisodeBefore you begin your rhythm of welcoming the Sabbath, allow me a moment to pray over you. May this prayer and blessing be an acknowledgment of the good and loving work you are doing in the various roles you have the responsibility to steward...
Episode 02: Sabbath & Identity with Amanda Dzimianski
The moment Amanda and I started chatting, I knew this episode was going to be a good one! While we get into the details of Amanda’s Sabbath practice, and what it looks like for her as a mom of littles, I particularly love what she has to say about Sabbath, identity, and gaining a deeper understanding of grace through this practice of rest. I know you’re gonna enjoy this one.
Episode 01 | Sabbath & Our Image-Bearer Role
Yes, momma, you need to rest. And you have permission to rest. But have you ever considered the fact that you were designed to rest? That’s what we’re talking about on today’s episode. Listen in.
Episode 00 | Simply Sabbath Trailer
Rest doesn’t have to be a 4-letter word. If you feel like you are about to break from exhaustion, let me invite you to Simply Sabbath, a podcast for the burnt-out Christian mom.
Ready to start practicing Sabbath?
The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Simple Family Sabbath is a step-by-step resource for Christian moms to start practicing Sabbath this week.
