Blog Interview: Keri Wyatt Kent

What comes to mind when you think of rest? Is it a necessity or a luxury?
Keri Wyatt Kent’s latest book Rest explores the concept that finding space for resting “is as necessary as breathing if we are to do more than cling to the cliff of life by our fingertips.”

I met Keri last year when she spoke at our Hope women’s retreat. Her down-to-earth approach to spiritual disciplines inspired me to believe that even in the chaos of mothering young children, I could experience the peace and presence of God every day.

Keri joins us today in the blogosphere to answer some questions about her own search for Sabbath:

Nicole: How have you been personally affected by offering your time to God through Sabbath each week?
Keri: I think I've become more productive by taking a day off. I get more done in the weeks where I take a day off than those I don't. I think sometimes we work half-heartedly, so we never fully engage, but never fully disengage. We need to do both. Also, it's drawn me closer to God. It's allowed me to experience God's unconditional love in a new way--because I feel his love so deeply, even though I'm accomplishing very little.

Nicole: Speaking of time, we'd love to know you a bit more. What activity do you engage in that makes an hour like a minute? What activities make a minute seem like an hour?
Keri: I can lose track of time in reading, and in writing--I love the creative process. Also in being outside, just enjoying the beauty of creation. But the minutes drag when I am doing housework. Mostly I avoid that. :)

Nicole: What did you learn through your researching and writing for Rest that you've incorporated into your own Sabbath keeping?
Keri: One thing I noticed about Jesus was that he healed on Sabbath--which made the Pharisees mad. But he defended his actions because healing restored relationship, and set people free. So when I am making choices about what to engage in on Sabbath, and what to refrain from, I ask--what would restore relationships, what would set people free?

Nicole: Describe a time in your life that was without Sabbath. What was different about you? How have you seen yourself change since disciplining your life to include a Sabbath?
Keri: Sabbath (even though we didn't call it that) was part of my life growing up. We had quiet, relaxing, family Sundays. But when my kids were very young, I felt like I never got a break. Some of it had to do with my kids' ages--caring for babies is just very physical, and their needs are continual. I felt like I never got a break, and as a result, I felt sort of angry and resentful a lot of the time. Sabbath keeping taught me some really important lessons in setting boundaries. Even though my husband doesn't always practice Sabbath with me, it's improved our relationship because I am a healthier person. I am also more efficient during the week. That's really important--you think you're going to fall behind but taking time to rest actually helps you to be more productive.

Nicole: The book is full of real-life examples of people reinterpreting the Sabbath of history and creating a place of rest for their families. What was one example you particularly enjoyed?
Keri: I loved the story of Tahna, who learned about "time-chunking" and used that with her 2 year old. She set a timer and told him she would play for 20 minutes, then do the dishes. Just outlining the expectations, then giving him her undivided attention for a while, really helped cut down on tantrums.

Nicole: How has Sabbath-keeping helped or changed your prayer life? What do you think is the most important aspect of "praying Sabbath" into your life?
Keri: It's hard to pray deeply when you are in a hurry. It's hard to love in a hurry. Sabbath keeping has taught me to slow down, to listen--to God and to the people he's given me to care for. When you set aside your normal tasks for a whole day, to focus on loving God and loving others, that decision is in itself a prayer. It's saying with your actions "I trust you, God." I think Sabbath also is a kind of listening prayer. We can hear God's voice of love, and live in his unconditional love, when we slow down, when we stop being so task-focused.

When I read Rest a couple of months ago, I was immediately called to action. Kent knows what it’s like to be a woman in our day, and reading her book gave me practical direction to change Sabbath into a way of life for our family. My son Charlie asks me regularly, “how many more days until Sabbath?” The family has incorporated ideas from the book into our Sabbath-keeping. A favorite is when “mommy puts a napkin on her head and overflows the glass” (read the book if you want to know what that’s about!)

Your Turn:
What do you think of rest as a discipline? Do you find yourself considering it a necessity or a luxury? Why?
Leave your comments here or send them to nicoleunice@gmail.com for a chance to win a free copy of Keri’s book!


Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity is available at bookstores everywhere, and on-line.
Click here to purchase from amazon.com or Christianbook.com.