Due to Dellan’s current hour-long commute, we are apart from at least 7:00 am to 6:00 pm during the week. Dellan is also studying for an upcoming engineering exam almost every evening. (Send prayers his way, please!) We wake up at 5:30 in the morning, which means we try to head to bed around 10:00.
We clearly don’t have time to waste when we’re together! But darn it, we do.
Of the two of us, I am definitely the more social media-obsessed, particularly with Instagram. I’ll admit that I dedicate a lot more time scrolling there than I should. Part of it has to do with writing–I love crafting mini blog posts and learning from other writers I follow. A lot of it, though, is mindless, and I’m prone to picking up my phone as soon as we’re watching TV, in the car, or laying in bed.
Why take breaks from social media?
D first proposed setting down our phones to ensure that we’re spending quality time together. Even if we’re just watching a movie or relaxing–something I’ve argued “doesn’t count” as quality time because we aren’t talking–he wanted to be sure we’re paying attention to one another. I think that’s so sweet!
I wanted to practice staying in the moment. I’m a big fan of celebrating the goodness present in our lives and calling it out and welcoming others to rejoice with us. “Yay, a prayer was answered!” “Woo hoo, we got a cute pup!” All of that sharing is super great and I think social media can be a wonderful tool for gratitude and worship. But, this good thing can get distracting when I feel the need to share EVERYTHING. Instead of thinking about what I could possibly post later, I desired to let myself be wrapped in gratitude for whatever it is I do.
We also wanted to purposefully use our time well. We want to be outside, trying new things, making the most of the hours we’re given. And we figure the less time we’re sitting on our phones and computers, the more time we have to adventure together.
Why on Sunday?
Sundays are for resting. Amen?
We’re trying to make our Sundays a day of rejuvenation before the busy weekdays. Rather than letting the day be filled with lazing around or scrambling to finish weekend tasks, we want to give our time to activities that fill us with energy. I say “trying” because we’re still pretty new at practicing real-deal Sabbath rest. We definitely aren’t good at it yet, but taking a break from social media seemed like a valuable step.
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
Hebrews 4: 9-10 (ESV)
Also, after sitting in a Sunday morning worship service, I know I usually want some time to reflect on the Word that was preached. I hoped that keeping our minds free from the clutter of what everyone else is doing would allow us to focus on our own growth and our great God.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Do we love it?
YES. It’s been such a blessing; that’s why I’m sharing!
I’m praisin’ God for desiring that we rest in Him, for giving us the strength to use our time for greater pursuits, and for giving me a husband who lovingly leads.
We’ve only been doing this for a month or so and I hope we never stop. I look forward to Sundays as when Dellan and I are being most purposeful with our time! And I’m so grateful that we identified reasons for taking these days off. I see the increase of quality conversation, of whispered prayers of gratitude, of adventure, relaxation, and worship.
So far, not one day of refraining has felt like a chore.
What do you think? Would you like to join us? As always, I love hearing from you.
Gabrielle Ruth Writes 