{Day 23} Implementing a Sabbatical

Welcome to Day #23 of the 31 Days to Professional Homemaking series.  To learn more about this series and to see the list of topics, click HERE.  Please know that I am not an expert in marriage, motherhood, or homemaking.  I'm just a woman {who happens to be a wife, mother, and homemaker}, trying to figure it all out, by the grace of God.  This series is just as much for me as it is for anyone reading.

Before we get started, I'd like to offer you the following button, in case you want to share this series with your readers:

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Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
 {Proverbs 16:3}

Today's post is going to be on the shorter side {can I get an "Amen"?} because I've already talked a little about this before when I shared my weekly time out ritual.  So, if you want to refresh your memory on that, then click on over... 

go ahead... 

I'll wait for you right here...

Now that you're caught up on what a weekly time out is, let's move forward with today's post, shall we?

In my humble opinion, the number one thing that we can do to become intentional homemakers is to set aside a certain amount of time each week {or each month} to be alone with the Lord, pray for guidance and wisdom to run our households, and to read His Word.  I like to think of this retreat as a "mini-sabbatical".  Dictionary.com defines as "sabbatical" as "any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc."  

But, of course, an extended period of time {a year or so} isn't possible for moms.  Which is why I recommend just an hour or two each week {or a couple of hours a month}.  If you can only afford to get away for an hour each week, consider planning a 24 to 48 hour-long retreat each year in order to do some annual planning and reflection.

Personally, I kind of like to "kill two birds with one stone" and combine my weekly time out with my "desk day".  In other words, I spend time in prayer and reading scripture, as well as planning my menus and paying my bills {thanking God for His provision and asking for wisdom in how I handle these tasks}.  To be honest, though, I have gotten out the routine of having a weekly planning retreat lately and I can definitely tell a difference in my home and my family, which have suffered as a result.

The benefit to implementing a sabbatical for me as a wife, mother, and homemaker is that it allows me to rest and to fully focus on God's plan for my home and family.  It gives me a break from typical household duties and provides me a time to be one-on-one with the Lord, when it is often a challenge to get that one-on-one time otherwise.  After I've had a time to meet with God and pray over my family, I return home with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation regarding my work at home.

My family benefits from my time away as well.  When I come back from meeting with God and allowing Him to fill my cup, it overflows into the lives of those who do life alongside of me; those whom I am called to serve.  My husband gets a wife who loves and respects him better and my son gets a mother who is eager to play with and listen to him.

Do you take a regular sabbatical?  If so, what are some ways that your family has benefited?

Today's Challenge:

Each day, I'll give you a challenge: one small thing you can do to apply each day's topic to your life and your home.

1. If you do not have a set-aside time each week, or each month, to get away and meet with the Lord, aligning your heart with His, then that is your task today.  Claim one hour this week and take a personal retreat for the benefit of your family.

<-----------------------------
FOR DAY #22: INSTITUTE A "DESK DAY"
CLICK HERE.


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FOR DAY #24: PURSUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CLICK HERE.


God Bless,

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Linked To:

Works for Me Wednesdays at We Are THAT Family
Women Living Well Wednesdays at Women Living Well Ministries
Homemaking Link Up at Raising Homemakers
Beautiful Thursdays Link Up at Passionate and Creative Homemaking
Hearts 4 Home Thursdays Our Simple Country Life
Grace at Home Thursdays at Imparting Grace
Thrive @ Home Thursdays Jenni Mullinix
Desire to Inspire Thursdays at Royal Daughter Designs