My Sabbath Summer

Every year, summer arrives like a gentle invitation from God. I am always so happy when my favorite season finally arrives.  The longer days, warm sunshine, and slower pace seem to whisper, "Be still."  After months of schedules, responsibilities, and constant activity, I find myself longing for something deeper than simply a vacation. I long for rest—not just for my body, but for my soul.  A sacred rest.

This summer, I have entered into such a time of rest and have been reflecting on the gift of Sabbath.

In Scripture, we see how God established a rhythm of work and rest. He knows that my heart needs time to pause and remember not only who I am, but whose I am.  While my mind knows full well that rest is a necessary part of my life, I often find it difficult to slow down. There is always another task to complete, another message to answer, another obligation demanding my attention and I find that even during moments of leisure, my mind remains occupied.

But summer has a way of drawing me back to what matters most and this summer, I have been blessed to be able to enter into a beautiful time of rest.  

Whether I am walking along the shoreline praying a Rosary, sitting quietly on my balcony gazing at the ocean, watching the sun set over the water, or looking out into the black sky lit only by the gorgeous moon, I am reminded that God is present. Creation speaks of its Creator. The rhythm of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the beauty of the sky all become a silent invitation to encounter Jesus.  These moments have helped me realize that rest is not laziness. Rest is an act of trust.

When I step away from my work and responsibilities, I acknowledge that the world does not depend entirely upon me. God is the one in control. He has been speaking this truth over my heart in a profound way this summer.  He continues to sustain all things with His love and providence and in resting, I am able to surrender my need to be constantly productive and allow myself to simply be with Him.  This has been like a soothing balm to my weary soul.  He has not asked me to DO anything.  He has simply extended His gentle invitation to BE His.  I have discovered that some of my most meaningful moments with Jesus have happened during these quiet summer days… not necessarily during extraordinary experiences, but in simple moments of awareness. 

In my lingering after daily Mass to sit before the Blessed Sacrament, in the quiet of the Church, where I am able to enjoy time with my Bridegroom and just be in His Presence. We chat like an old married couple and catch up on what has been stealing my attention away from Him. 

In one of my walks along the beach at the end of the day, I clearly heard Jesus tell me to pick up some “treasures,” and then I spent an afternoon creating a piece of art reflecting His sacrifice on the Cross.  He spoke to my heart of His great love for me as I glued my found treasures of driftwood and shells into an image of His Crucifixion.  (see the photo)

In my “wasting” of a whole day just sitting and looking out over the beach and into the vast and seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean, I simply marveled at His awesomeness, His power, and His tender love for His people.  

In the reading of an entire book in a matter of a few hours - something I have not done in many years!- I was able to graciously thank Him for such a gift as books and talented writers.  

In enjoying the company of friends, I have been able to give them my full and undistracted attention. I have been intentional about spending my time with those who fill my cup and draw me closer into the Heart of Christ.

In all of these moments, I could feel my soul slowing down enough to hear His voice. In this Sabbath time, I’ve been able to lovingly respond to Him without the distractions of the world.  It has been a time of great joy where my heart has been full of the things of God, and not of the world.  

This summer Sabbath recalls to my heart, the Gospel scene in which Jesus tells His disciples, 

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." (Mark 6:31)

Those words were not spoken only to the apostles. They are spoken to me.  While the shores of Margate, NJ are not exactly deserted, Jesus has not allowed the crowds and normalcy of a summer beachtown to distract me from Him.  As He calls me to rest with Him, I find that He is gently restoring what has become depleted. He has renewed my gratitude. He has deepened my prayer. He is  replenishing my virtue of charity.  He has helped me to see His blessings more clearly. The things that once felt urgent have begun to find their proper place and order in my heart.

My summer Sabbath has not been about escaping life. My life is wonderful and full and beautiful and I have assured my family that I will return to them!  My summer Sabbath has been about entering more deeply into the heart of Christ without the distractions of normal life. It has been more about creating space for Him to refresh my heart and renew my spirit. We have gotten to know one another in a different, more relaxed time where I feel fully enveloped in His gaze of love and can respond to Him with my whole heart.

I have come to appreciate this season as a gift from God—a sacred pause filled with beauty, gratitude, and grace.  I have been able to enter into and understand more deeply how “He refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:3) 

My summer Sabbath has truly been a time of authentic and sacred rest for my soul.  I have been blessed to be able to listen, to pray, to rejoice in God's creation, and to sit at the feet of Jesus without any agenda, schedule, or pressure.  I cherish this space and will keep it close in my heart where I will return to it again and again, especially after I come down from my mountain and reenter the world.  I pray that I will continue to unpack these summer Sabbath graces long into the fall, winter, and springtimes of my life.  I pray that Jesus will allow me to continue to discover and rediscover that the deepest rest is found not in a place, but in a Person.

For it is in the Heart of Christ that every restless heart finds its home.

Nicky Verna, Copyright 2026