July Sabbath Month

Dear fellow reader,

Hello and happy Friday! I hope this blog is finding you well and you are finding some rest and fun as we are officially in summertime! I recently had some time off from work and had a fun SoCal staycation complete with beach days, friends, food and a lot of the World Cup. My Instagram algorithm is currently filled with reels of international soccer fans

Crystal Cove Reef Point lookout, Newport Coast, CA

experiencing the U.S. for the first time and its honestly restoring some hope and love for my fellow Americans haha. I've loved seeing the positive experiences and camaraderie between people of all countries that has been happening around the nation and can't wait to see what the rest of the summer holds.

With all of that though, I wanted to pause for a moment and reflect on this blog. Since living in San Diego and being part of the church community at Park Hill, I've loved the intentionality around Sabbath. For some that word Sabbath might just be synonymous with the day you go to church and for some it might seem like an ancient word with a fuzzy meaning. Quick background: Sabbath is something that actually comes from the very first pages of the Bible. After God had created all that He did in the beginning, the Bible tells us "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done" (Genesis 2:2-3). It's a day of rest but also a day that is holy (special, dedicated to God). This is something that was then worked into the very fabric of the identity of the Israelites. After they were freed from slavery in

Had a very peaceful day of silence and solitude here with God on my staycation. Prince of Peace Abbey, Oceanside, CA

Egypt, the Sabbath became part of the 10 commandments, a way to set them apart from the other nations, glorify God and also to remind them that, with God, they are not slaves. In Egypt they were worked night and day until they dropped. But now with God they were able to rest from all work on the Sabbath as a way to remind the Israelites of their freedom and the goodness of God. This was something so important to their identity and life with God that when Israel broke the Sabbath time and time again it was actually part of the reason they were sent into exile! (To learn more about the Sabbath I recommend checking out The Bible Project. Here's one of many episodes they have on the Sabbath.)

So, all that to say, the Sabbath is an important rhythm and one that my church encourages us all to integrate weekly, one 24-hr period a week. The church as a whole also takes a Sabbath month where there are no extra events or groups or anything happening, just Sunday gatherings. This is a time to rest and reflect and remind ourselves that we are not God's work slaves, but recipients of His good grace. We don't have to work 24/7 to keep the world turning, earn God's love or to sustain ourselves, ultimately God is the one who provides us with all we need. So in that spirit, I am taking a Sabbath month away from singleness ministry stuff, including this blog.

I started this blog in September 2025 and have been posting weekly thoughts on singleness since then, what a journey! It's been really special to see the thoughts, conversations and connections that have happened through this blog. Speaking intentionally about singleness from my lived experience is something I felt God invited me into and it's only because of that prompting and encouragement that this blog exists. God has done so much through it and I also want to leave space to sense if God may be doing

One of the places I'll get to go back to this summer! Portsmouth, England.

something new or different. Like I said above, I am not a work slave to God and have to be chained to one ministry or output for the rest of my life. I want to follow His leading yes, but I've learned that God is also a dynamic God that is constantly moving and working in different ways in the world. So, this month I will take a break from writing to step back, rest, reflect, pray, travel (yay!) and discern what might be next for me and this singleness ministry journey. I would appreciate your prayers in all of that! :)

Whatever I sense over this next month or so, I'll meet you back here to fill you in on what's happening and what may be coming next! Lastly, THANK YOU so so much for your support and engagement with this blog. This blog was always meant to be for others, to encourage you and lead you all closer to the one who leads us on the path to true abundant life-- Jesus.

With love,

Alexis

HAGS :)