Sabbatical Jubilance

...a rest from the everyday with exuberance.

I've been changing priorities and the way I spend time with my technology. It hasn't worked everyday but there were immediate and positive changes in our home environment, my attitude, and the Vikings' attitudes as the last couple of days progressed.

Instead of thinking at the end of the day that I "only" got done the minimums (like groceries, bill paying, diaper changing, meal making, etc.), now my thoughts are leaning more towards: those are the things that HAVE to get done...then all that other "stuff" I've been thinking was so important (cleaning the basement, improve this, re-doing that, etc.) is not more important than the stuff I've been "leaving behind" each day. Time for me, time to read, time to pray, time to talk to DaHubby, time to play with the kids.

Sabbatical in the academic world often refers to a time when a professor takes some time off from his or her teaching and/or research to do something else - sometimes rest, sometimes new research, for example. It was often offered once every seven years. In addition, the etymology of the word goes back to sabbath - a period of rest or day of remembrance/worship.

Sabbath is often considered a reverent and solemn word held in a type of silent homage. When actually, it is etymologically connected to the year of Jubilee which, in addition to the "year of sabbath" which provided a time of release and forgiveness of debtors and slaves every seven years, was celebrated every 50 years!

As someone who is working through Dave Ramsey plan for getting out of debt, I can only image how incredibly awesome, dumbfounding, and elating it would feel for someone to come to my family and forgive us all our remaining financial debt.

But the revelation that struck me was this: Sabbath is a time of jubilee!

And, my recent rest from the unending drive of technology and my ever-present to-do list has provided for some jubilant times with DaHubby and the Vikings. And, during this time of family and fun, my sense of all I have to be thankful for has increased along with my sense of peace and joy. For example, despite being the third person in the household with a cough and cold, it's been relatively easy since I've had time to rest and to enjoy the (near) silence of quiet/nap time.

So, what would be your first reaction to having all your financial debt forgiven? What about emotional debts you hold with others? Would you show "great joy, satisfaction, or triumph; rejoicing; exultant"? That's jubilee!

So, how much more should we be filled with exultation by a Heavenly Father who has put every single one of our sins and trespasses as far as the east is from the west? Are ya' feeling jubilant yet?

Finally, with sabbath being related to a time of jubilee, how much "great joy, satisfaction, or triumph; rejoicing" is going on during YOUR sabbath this week? *wink*

Psalms 116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. (NKJV)