Restoration Saturday: Reflection & Rest

**What Does Saturday Mean to Me?**

I absolutely love Saturdays. Do you remember those Saturdays growing up? For some of us, it was all about sleeping in. Or, if you had a big family like I did, maybe you were the first one up, grabbing the biggest bowl of cereal and settling in for Saturday morning cartoons. But sometimes, the real nostalgia hits when I think about the sound of oldies or gospel music filling the house and the smell of cleaners in the air—a sure sign it was time to get things in order! That’s how my Saturdays went, whether I was at home with my mom or spending the weekend with my grandparents. It was less about cartoons and more about getting up and getting to work.

Kids today have no idea! We’re raising a generation that sometimes treats mom like the maid, chef, and ATM all rolled into one (yes, I went there!). But let me not get started on that… 😂

These days, Saturdays hold even deeper meaning for me. In Exodus 20:8-11, the 4th commandment reminds us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy:

*8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,

10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates.

11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."*

Saturday is the seventh day of the week—a holy day in my household, and that’s how we’re raising our children. If God Himself took a day to rest after creating the world, then surely, He wants us to do the same. The command is simple: work for six days, but take the seventh day to rest, reflect, and recharge.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Sabbath still comes with a little bit of work, especially with little ones running around. The mess doesn’t pause just because it’s a holy day! But after breakfast and some light chores, we relax. We spend time together. I find peace in the kitchen, whipping up a big meal. Today, I’m making a roast with veggies and gravy, stuffing (cornbread dressing), baked mac & cheese, green beans, and southern-style lemonade. My friends always joke that I “be cooking cooking” 😂—and I love it! Cooking is my way of serving my family and creating lasting memories and traditions.

In our culture, Sunday dinners are a big thing. It goes back to slavery days when Sunday was often the only day we had to gather and connect. But I’m trying to shift that tradition to Sabbath dinners. I dream of having our family, and maybe even others, come together for Sabbath dinners—potluck style, like a gathering at Big Momma’s house. Living, loving, and laughing. I want it to be a day of thanksgiving and remembrance—a holy convocation to the Most High. It’s a time to reflect on the strength and willpower He gives us to provide for our families throughout the week.

The Old Testament talks about refraining from "servile work" on the Sabbath—no tedious tasks or work for pay. No lighting fires, no hunting, no trips to the market. It was meant to be a day for family and God. That’s the tradition we’re restoring in our home. Are we perfect at it? Not quite. But we’re a work in progress, and from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, we give it our all.

I love what my Saturdays have become. I no longer think, “It’s Friday or Saturday night and I’m missing out on something fun.” Instead, I’m thankful to be at home, building family traditions with the beautiful family I’ve been blessed with. Fridays are for family movie night (the kids pick!), and Saturdays are for whatever feels right—game day, a trip to the park, or maybe the beach if the weather’s good. We do our best not to spend money on the Sabbath, so we keep things simple and centered around each other. We end the day with a family dinner, and it feels like the perfect close to a peaceful day.

How do you celebrate the Sabbath? Did you grow up with it, or are you just learning about it? Or maybe Sundays are your day of worship and rest? No judgment here—just love and light.

Thanks for stopping by our little corner of the world.

Peace and love, friends! 💕

**Shaquilla**

Our Humble Nest