Today, I’m going to spare you the cute intro and get to the point.
I’m doing something radical on Sundays. I’m quitting the internet. And I think you should, too.
I know not everyone needs this right now. God deals with us all differently at different times. Maybe you already do something like this!
Here are some of my reasons. Do you identify with any of these?
- I’m fried. I need a real rest.
- I want to hear the Lord more clearly.
- I realized I’m addicted to the internet, and trying to get over that.
- I’ve always wanted Sundays to be more restful and different.
Don’t tune me out if you don’t share my compulsion to check your email 500 times a day. Maybe there’s something else, for you, that needs to take a break for a day a week. TV? working? I don’t know.
All I know is this.
I need a break. A real, true, rest. A Sabbath rest. I’ve wondered for years what Christians should do on Sundays, what with the whole fourth-commandment that we kind-of-but-not-really obey.
I decided to do this a few weeks ago, before the craziness of my ectopic pregnancy and surgery. You might think I’d be tempted to give myself a break for a few weeks and do whatever the heck I want. In some ways, maybe. But not with this. I’ve been waiting for Sunday.
I need a Sunday.
I need more of Him and less of me, and less distractions and mundane and just doing the same things over and over.
I need a Sunday rest.
When I first told my husband my little idea a few weeks ago, I thought he would laugh. Instead, he agreed to join me.
Guys, we loved it.
It was an awesome Sunday. We had the longest discussion we’ve had in months. The day felt different, clearer, more holy. Not in a weird, super-spiritual, fakey-way. Just better. I even caught Todd in the act of doing this:
(He’s picking out a book to read.) I read, too. A lot.
Like a cigarette addict with an itch, I kept lingering my eye towards the spot on the counter where the computer usually is. I got the idea to replace it with this:
I struggle to read my Bible regularly, but I’ve always loved the Psalms. If I got that ache to connect with Facebook, I read a few verses.
At the end of the day, we agreed the Sunday Challenge was a wonderful idea, and we’d keep doing it. My goal is to have a Summer of Sundays that are different. I’m not stopping til September.
FYI, My husband judged his email to be work/necessary communication. We’ll pray for his soul on that one.
If you, too, want Sundays to be different, join me!
I’d love if you comment below with how you’ll make your Sundays different. I won’t be posting every week about this…just once in a while, but bloggers – I’ll be doing a linkup in a week or two where you can share your experiences so far with the Sunday Challenge. Be sure you’re following the blog to know when that’s happening
Have you ever done anything different on Sundays? What was it like?
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great idea! We are currently thinking about going without the internet for the summer. We need to refocus and also rediscover family time without t.v.
Oh my goodness. This post has been on my heart all week, and yesterday I was forced by a power outage to come face to face with my internet addiction. I’m with you; Sundays are internet-free from here on in. (Except for this one … I’m counting yesterday for this week. I’m not strong enough to do a whole weekend quite yet.) 😉
Thank you for posting this and giving me the much-needed kick in the pants to get my priorities straight. I linked back to this entry in the post I just wrote about the whole things … hope that’s okay! 🙂
Ali,
Absolutely okay! I’m thrilled that you are also on board! (No pun to your adventures intended 🙂
I’ve been loving your blog. What an amazing writer, and person, you are. Blessings in all you do…and on Sundays, too!
Jess
I came across a link to your blog on Pinterest. I am so glad I saw this post! This is exactly what I’d like to implement in our household. It is crazy how addicted we are to the Internet and TV and our iPhones, and we just don’t have enough family time anymore. Maybe writing a post on my blog (I’m pretty new, and still trying to learn about, the blogging world!) will help motivate me! I think getting my husband on board will be the most difficult…his phone is pretty much glued to his hand ALL.THE.TIME.
Hi Jennifer! Good luck as you try it! I was surprised that my husband wanted to, because he, too, loves that phone 🙂 We have both been shocked how rewarding Sundays have been! I literally look forward to them! Isn’t that weird?!! Good luck, as well as with your new blog!!
Love this, Jess! It is exactly what I need. One of those times when it feels like I need to re-evaluate how I spend my down time. My soul is parched and the internet is serving as a huge distraction. I can’t wait for Sunday! (and at the same time….I’m a little afraid…) I think it’s the good kind of fear, knowing I need more of Him and less of me…and I’ve been really into me lately.
Our pastor was just talking about taking Sundays to rest and spend time with loved ones. It is SO hard to give up those electronics though, especially with running an online boutique where everyone seems to want to order or have a question Sundays.
This was such a timely read for me. I have been mulling over similar thoughts for a while now. Reading your post helped me bite the bullet and admit things need to change. I just wrote a bit about it today on my blog, linking back to this post and the one about being addicted to the internet. Thank you for being open and for sharing. I hope that we both get the refresher that we need!
Absolutely agree….but I think I’ll do it every Sunday, not just through the summer. I owe Jesus at least that much. I want a more intimate relationship with Him. My goodness, He’s done so much for me. I am grateful beyond words each and every day. Be Blessed!
Hi Renee, all comments are pending approval first, and I’m on vacation so I have just gotten around to comments! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I’m glad the post was helpful !
Hi there…I posted a comment on Sun. MAY 24, 2015 saying that I absolutely agree and that we would be implementing the no phones, no Internet on Sundays permanently! It’s the least my family can do for what Christ has done for us. Did I say something wrong? I noticed my post was deleted & was wondering why?
I found it….that’s odd…it wasn’t there a few minutes ago.