This week my resistance to Sabbath and Solitude didn’t come from busyness but from physical weakness—COVID. Lethargy, headaches, and congestion left me drained and unmotivated.

This week began with busyness. By last Wednesday I finally felt “back” to full health, and the rush of renewed energy led me to power through the day—so much so that I even forgot to stop for lunch.

This Sabbath morning I began, as I often do, by reviewing my memory verse flashcards. Six of them, in particular, continue to challenge me.

Lately, I’ve noticed a subtle shift in my Sabbath rhythm. Most days, my devotions begin at the dining room table—Bible open, verse cards spread out, commentary nearby.

This week felt like a sprint to Sabbath. It began with an urgent text at 7 p.m. on Sunday—one that unexpectedly reshaped much of my Monday morning. I was productive, yes, but also reminded of how often life calls us to release control.

This week’s Fasting rhythm was slightly altered—I moved my fast from Thursday to Friday to meet a friend for lunch. What seemed like a small shift turned out to be unexpectedly difficult.

This week I felt out of my normal rhythm on Sabbath. However, what I first labeled as resistance feels more like a stirring—a divine nudge rather than an obstacle.

This week, it took five days before I wrote my first journal entry. That’s unusual for me. When Sabbath morning finally arrived, I woke up later than usual.

When was the last time you spent fifteen minutes in Solitude with the LORD? For me, that has been a steady part of my Sabbath rhythm.

Rhythm. When you travel, it becomes so clear how important rhythm is to the life of the soul. Our habits, the quiet spaces we carve out, the familiar sights and sounds.