You just finished an 8-hour workday, but you have to sit in traffic while making calls and making sure that your Kroger pick up order is ready. After you finally get home at 5:32, you must change clothes and help make dinner for your family – hot dogs and mac & cheese to go. It’s no three course meal, but it will have to do because you must leave in time to pick up Olivia early from band practice so you can make it to Tommy’s football game on time. You wish that you could watch the whole football game, but Olivia and Jacob need your help with homework before they go off and play; so, you and your spouse take turns watching the game and quizzing your kids on the quadratic formula and United States’ Presidents.

Such is life. Even with a multitude of modern conveniences, we are busier than ever. It’s no wonder we are unable to pray regularly, have a Bible reading routine, and visit other families. We are pulled in every direction, and we are lucky to make it through the week without dropping the ball at work or at home. We may be tempted to skimp on sleep to get ahead on some home projects you have been putting off, to start on that assignment from work you have procrastinated at doing.

Such business or workaholism is neither healthy nor godly. The psalmist writes, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved sleep” (Ps 127:2). And although we do not keep the letter of the mosaic laws today, the Lord created the Sabbath for man’s benefit. Before you or your children take on yet another responsibility, be disciplined and say no. Perhaps, if you are blessed, you can even cut back on some responsibilities that are of low priority so that you can grow mentally, physically, and spiritually healthier.