Ryanne Molinari

It’s Saturday evening, and I am filled with relief. Tomorrow, at last, is a Sabbath.

Sundays are not restful for me. I rise earlier than other mornings and practice for an hour or so before my first church service, where I play the organ and direct the choir.

After this, I snatch a few donut holes from the lobby and jump on the freeway to attend my second church service. There, I welcome people as a pastor’s wife and worship from the congregation rather than the choir loft.

After church, I have a few hours before dashing to a community choir rehearsal, which usually lasts until 9:00pm. Often, I am just falling into a nap when my alarm sounds and I have to grab my music and hit the road.

Needless to say, Sunday is not often a day of rest. It’s a day filled with music and fellowship, beautiful worship and satisfying work. I love Sundays, but do I feel recharged for the week ahead? Not usually.

This summer, while I’ve had a slight break from my usual bustle, I’ve taken stock of my career and ministry, trying to find ways to rest amid my multiple roles and unusual schedule. One way is simply to not check social media on Sundays.

I discovered this discipline by accident. About a month ago, I realized that I had gone an entire Sunday without looking at my phone. I had not once reached for it or missed it. I decided then and there that I wanted this to be a pattern. If I cannot have a full “Sabbath” on Sunday, I can at least rest from this one burden.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m seeking a publisher for my book on the fruit of the Spirit and musical worship. I can write and revise and brainstorm all day long, but the publishing industry is more and more concerned with platform building than literary diligence. Publishers have families to feed and social media is a primary marketing medium, so I’m not complaining. However, I will be honest and admit that, while I can write and edit all the livelong day, I do not enjoy having to use social media. I don’t mind it for occasional entertainment or connecting with others, but I wish it wasn’t a requirement. (I’d rather spend time refining my manuscript than editing reels…is that so wrong?)

That said, when I first committed to social media free Sundays, I did so with a little reluctance, even anxiety. What if I lose followers? What if I miss a collaboration that could help my book? What if, what if, what if.

But this is looking at my career as a writer with the eyes of the world, not the eyes of faith. Shutting down my phone for one day out of seven is not going to kill my career. And, honestly, if it does…is that sort of career worth it?

After several months of “social-media sabbaths,” I’ve found that my relationship with social media is much healthier. I don’t resent it as much throughout the week because, while I’m still doing the things I must do, I know a reprieve is coming.

I think similar practices would prove incredibly healthy for other people, especially those in vocational ministry. We can’t always take a lazy Sunday (in fact, I can’t remember ever having one in my adult life), but setting aside one stressor or distraction can make a huge difference.

Sundays may be busy, but turning off my apps has set my soul at rest.