Being Mormon, Sundays are pretty important to me. I regard them as other Christians do, as the “Sabbath Day”. Therefore, I treat Sundays differently than the other days of the week. I don’t do the normal things I would do on any other given day, such as: clean, run errands, shop, etc. Instead, I try to focus solely on Jesus Christ and doing good things. My Sundays are filled with family time, researching my ancestors and relaxing. Each week, as Sunday comes closer, I’m excited to spend a day with those I love and doing things I love to do. There’s no better feeling than doing things that are important to you that also bring you joy.
Here are my top ten reasons why Sunday is the best day of the week for me and can be for you too.
10 REASONS WHY SUNDAY IS THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK
I DON’T HAVE TO GET UP AT 6AM.
I’m not a morning person, but I’m not a crazy-long sleeper either. Just give me till 7 or 7:30 and I’m happy. Sunday is the one day all week that I have the luxury of sleeping in, just a little. I’m typically more productive when I arise early, but on Sunday, it’s not about productivity for me. It’s about people.
OUR FAMILY SPENDS THE WHOLE DAY TOGETHER.
I love, love, being with my kids and my husband and we make wonderful memories together just talking, snuggling or playing games. My husband has a very busy schedule and so we don’t have the opportunity to do this for more than 45 min here and there during the week. Sundays are cherished times when we can be a family without rushing or interruption.
I DON’T HAVE TO DO LAUNDRY.
I know there are worse things, but laundry always seems NEVER-ENDING! It’s nice to not have to do laundry just one day during the week. Everyone has their things. I guess laundry is mine!
MY KIDS HAVE TIME TO PLAY.
Mr. Maven and I are careful not to over-schedule our kids with activities and outings. They really only have one extracurricular activity each in which they participate. Despite this, it seems as though our evenings fly by. The next thing I know, it’s bedtime and the kids haven’t played much together. On Sundays, they always seem to play together so happily; creating and pretending.
I MAKE SIMPLE MEALS WITH MINIMAL CLEAN-UP.
Less work=more relaxing. I love to cook. It’s my passion! I grew up as I’m sure many of you did, with Sunday dinner being a special meal. As a new wife, I started out in the same tradition. However, over time I realized that while I enjoyed eating the special meal, I didn’t enjoy spending most of my day in the kitchen. I’d rather be spending time with my family. Now, I plan a crock pot meal or I make something simple like nachos. Fancy? Nope! Yet, this small change simplifies my life and allows me the time with my family that I love.
NO PRESSURE TO GET THINGS DONE AROUND THE HOUSE.
Sunday is the one day each week when I can relax and enjoy the things I love. I can read, nap or whatever and not feel guilty about the many projects staring me in the face! (Yes, I have a crazy-good guilt complex, but I’m working on it) We’re currently renovating our home and it’s hard work making things pretty and functional. Our projects seem to be never-ending, which is why we need Sunday to take a break so we can come back with gusto on Monday.
IT’S A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Our family often uses our time on Sundays as an opportunity to call, FaceTime, email or visit those we love. It’s easy to lose track of precious time during the week when our schedules as moms and wives (among other things) are so demanding. Sundays are a great day to touch base with loved ones and plan your next visit.
TOTAL REJUVENATION FOR THE BODY AND SPIRIT.
I feel uplifted from the positive, encouraging messages at church and I rest my body from all the craziness it normally endures. Sometimes I’ll take a quick nap, but most of the time just sitting and relaxing does the trick. This enables me to start my week with a clear mind, energetic body and a happy, go-getter attitude that often carries me through my week, no matter how difficult. I’m not a high-energy person, so I really need this down-time to give my body a needed rest. I also enjoy doing a crossword with my son, making goals, or searching for my ancestors on https://www.familysearch.org.
Look what my week did to me!
I HAVE TIME TO WRITE IN MY JOURNAL
I know that one day, my words, thoughts and experiences will be treasures for my children. It’s important to me to record them. I’ve found that during the week, I’m either too tired when I have the chance to write or I forget to write altogether. Sunday is the perfect quiet time to gather my thoughts and put them down on paper. Do you have a journal?
TREAT DAY!
We always make a special treat on Sunday to enjoy together and my children love to help me in the kitchen. It’s a special time together! Many times, at my daughter’s request, we share our treats with our neighbors. Plus, it’s an added bonus that we almost always end up with extras that we can pop in the freezer for a future sweet-tooth craving, or last-minute guests.
I have a challenge for you…are you ready? For the next month, join me in treating your Sundays as no-work days. Focus on the things that are important to you and that make you happy. Maybe there’s a relationship you’ve been neglecting that needs some attention. Perhaps you have a talent you’ve not attended to for a while. Spend some time thinking about what brings you joy and then make a plan to follow through with it.
I know that you’ll have more energy and joy for your responsibilities throughout the week because you’ll be rested and happy. You may even have the best week yet!
I’d love to know if you try out my little experiment and what the results are. I can’t wait to hear from you!
xo Lauren
This particular tradition began a few years after we decided to have a more Christ-centered Christmas, but it starts the earliest in the season, so I’m listing it first. A friend gave me a little white felt stocking to hang on the tree for Jesus. We decided to use that stocking for more than just decoration. Instead, each year on December 1st begins our month of giving. Strips of paper and pens sit under our Christmas tree. Each time one of us does something kind as the Savior would, we anonymously write it down on a strip of paper, fold it up and put it in the stocking. Our goal is to fill the stocking with good deeds by December 24th. On Christmas day, we read all of the ways we showed Christ-like love and kindness that month. It’s a continual reminder of who we are as God’s children and the kindness and love shown to us by God and his Son.
For children, Christmas is often all about presents and what gifts they’ll be receiving. We really wanted our kids to understand that Christmas is about giving and not getting. So each December, we take our kids to a local thrift store and let them pick out a gift for their siblings. At first, we were paying for the gifts, but now they use their allowance to choose something small, but meaningful for their brother or sister. They look forward to sneaking through the store, trying to make sure the others don’t see what they’re choosing. Often, they choose things like games, puzzles, books or yarn. Then on Christmas morning, Mr. Maven has them give the gifts they’ve chosen to their siblings first before they open their own gifts, so they can experience the joy that comes from giving. This is my favorite! Is it sappy that I’m getting teary just thinking about this moment?
Now, I realize this isn’t something unique to us. I know a lot of Christian families do this. It’s always kind of hectic getting all of the “
Before we open any gifts at all or read the good deeds from the white stocking, we set the mood for the day. Our church put out a short video years ago called 
