I'm playing Badminton with my son on shabbos afternoon. The birdie goes flying and I can't find it.
"Where is it?" I ask my son.
"Right over there," he says, pointing to a spot right near me. I just had to turn my head to look and there it was.
I never even bothered looking, I think to myself.
I am suddenly struck with a powerful thought.
How many times in our lives do we ask, "Hashem...where are you?" without even bothering to look for Him?
How many times, when things are confusing and unclear, do we wonder where Hashem is hiding...when we haven't even made any effort to search for Him?
Is it that hard to find Hashem?
Look out for Him...open your eyes...and you will find Him.
It is not so hard.
He is here. He is right here. All you have to do is look for Him.
Showing posts with label Alone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alone. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Always There
I remember learning about the concept of object permanence in child psychology. It's fascinating to see how babies and children develop and mature in their understanding of abstract ideas.
Why do babies love the game peek-a-boo?
It's because when they see something, they know it's there. But when they do not see it, their little brains cannot register that the object or person is still right there. They think it's gone. So peek-a-boo is like a mini magic show to little babies! Now you see me, now you don't. Now you're here and a moment later you're not! How did you do that? Kids love it!
As children mature, they can understand this concept on a little bit of a deeper level. They learn that just because they cannot see the something, that does not mean it isn't there. If they don't see the treat they want, that doesn't mean it's not around. And they'll go looking in all the best hiding places until they find the spot where their mommy hid it.
But there's still another level.
Ever since my son got his Purim mask, we have been playing this game together. He puts on the mask and starts looking for his real nose. He gets such a kick out of it every time because when he looks into the mirror, he sees a green nose. Then he lifts the mask and says, "Uhhh! Here's my real nose!" And he giggles and laughs because he finds it so funny.
While we are living in this earth, we also go through different stages of maturing in our understanding of the concept of object permanence. Except, it's not an object that we are relating to, it's Hashem. And as we grow and change, we begin to realize that just because we cannot see Hashem, that doesn't mean He isn't there. To the contrary, Hashem is always here, but we don't always see or feel Him by our side.
As we go through different challenges in our lives, we may fluctuate between feeling this idea on both ends of the spectrum.
Some days, we may feel so connected and so close-we feel Hashem right at our side, even though things may be hard for us. We feel Hashem making the little things easier for us, small things go right and it makes us feel like we can deal with the bigger things. This gives us the strength we need to carry on, to continue going.
Then there will be days when we feel so distant, so alone. Things get hard, almost too hard. It can be a combination of many little things or one big test that makes us feel so lost. When small stresses pile up on top of big things we are dealing with, those little things become so much bigger and so much harder. This is when it's easy to feel like Hashem has left us.
But a Jew must remember that no matter what they are going through, no matter what is going on in their life, Hashem is always there.
You may not see Him. There may be times when you are in too much pain to feel Him by your side.
But always remember that He is there. At all times.
Why do babies love the game peek-a-boo?
It's because when they see something, they know it's there. But when they do not see it, their little brains cannot register that the object or person is still right there. They think it's gone. So peek-a-boo is like a mini magic show to little babies! Now you see me, now you don't. Now you're here and a moment later you're not! How did you do that? Kids love it!
As children mature, they can understand this concept on a little bit of a deeper level. They learn that just because they cannot see the something, that does not mean it isn't there. If they don't see the treat they want, that doesn't mean it's not around. And they'll go looking in all the best hiding places until they find the spot where their mommy hid it.
But there's still another level.
Ever since my son got his Purim mask, we have been playing this game together. He puts on the mask and starts looking for his real nose. He gets such a kick out of it every time because when he looks into the mirror, he sees a green nose. Then he lifts the mask and says, "Uhhh! Here's my real nose!" And he giggles and laughs because he finds it so funny.
While we are living in this earth, we also go through different stages of maturing in our understanding of the concept of object permanence. Except, it's not an object that we are relating to, it's Hashem. And as we grow and change, we begin to realize that just because we cannot see Hashem, that doesn't mean He isn't there. To the contrary, Hashem is always here, but we don't always see or feel Him by our side.
As we go through different challenges in our lives, we may fluctuate between feeling this idea on both ends of the spectrum.
Some days, we may feel so connected and so close-we feel Hashem right at our side, even though things may be hard for us. We feel Hashem making the little things easier for us, small things go right and it makes us feel like we can deal with the bigger things. This gives us the strength we need to carry on, to continue going.
Then there will be days when we feel so distant, so alone. Things get hard, almost too hard. It can be a combination of many little things or one big test that makes us feel so lost. When small stresses pile up on top of big things we are dealing with, those little things become so much bigger and so much harder. This is when it's easy to feel like Hashem has left us.
But a Jew must remember that no matter what they are going through, no matter what is going on in their life, Hashem is always there.
You may not see Him. There may be times when you are in too much pain to feel Him by your side.
But always remember that He is there. At all times.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Ta'anis Esther - Alone
Sometimes in life you feel alone. Like there's no one who can help you. No one to rely on. No one to turn to.
I was sitting in the hospital bed on Shabbos morning after having given birth just a few hours before. I was starving. I had no food with me. We came to the hospital with the bag that I had packed and that's it. It was shabbos. I didn't have my phone with me and even if I would have had it I wouldn't be able to call anyone to bring me something to eat. I was alone. I was tempted to call one of the nurses to ask them to look out for a Jewish girl who was visiting someone and see if they could go to the bikkur cholim room to get me something to eat. I just gave birth. I couldn't go myself. I was alone. And I was hungry. And I needed to eat.
I felt like crying. Where was I going to get food from?
Hashem, I said, I'm hungry. I need to eat. Could you please send someone to my room to give me some food?
I was close to tears.
Mi K'amcha Yisroel. It didn't take long for a volunteer from Yad Ephraim to come into my room with a bag full of food. She had grape juice for kiddush, danishes, cake and some warm mazel tov wishes for me.
Today is Ta'anis Esther. Picture the scene so many years ago. Put yourself in Esther's shoes. She is married to Achashveirosh and has to stand before him and make a request that would save her entire nation. The entire Jewish People is looking to her, relying on her for their salvation.
At that moment, she bursts into a prayer of "Keili Keili lamah azavtani"-Hashem, why have you forsaken me? Why did you leave me? Just at the time I need you most...I feel so alone!
What an emotional prayer. What could be worse than the feeling of loneliness? Than feeling that you have no one to turn to, no one who can help you?
Yes, as a Jew you should know that you can always turn to Hashem. You can daven to Him and beg Him for help. But sometimes...that's not enough. You need something real. Something to hold on to. Someone to hold on to.
And I think maybe that's why Hashem gave us people to rely on, people to turn to for emotional support. Even if there is no one who can actually do anything practical for you, whether it's for financial help, to find you your guy, to help you with a job, to get you into a school or just to help with something real, when you feel alone and you have someone to talk to, it makes such a difference. There is something about having a friend that makes the burden a little bit easier to carry. Yes, you still have to go through the challenge anyway but when you have someone walking alongside you, you feel less alone and you feel like you could do it.
We all have times when we feel alone. Yes, we should turn to Hashem and ask for help but when nothing is going to change-because sometimes the situation stays the way it is and you don't see a way out, you can know that Hashem gave you something to make it a little more bearable. A good friend.
Today, many people take out their tehillims and say Perek Chaf Bais-the 22nd chapter that begins with "Keili Keili lamah azavtani". When a Jew feels alone, he takes out a siddur, he takes out his tehilim and he turns to Hashem. But sometimes, many times, that's not enough. You need something real. And that's what a friend is all about.
The purpose of a fast day is not about the food and about how hungry you are. The point is to get you to stop and think. We are still in galus. We know that sinas chinam is one of the things that is keeping us from getting out. Don't we all want to leave?
Today, take a minute to focus on your relationships and think about how you can be a better friend. A good friend, a real friend.
May you be able to be there for your friends to support them through the tough times and to celebrate with them in the happy times.
Have an easy, meaningful fast.
I was sitting in the hospital bed on Shabbos morning after having given birth just a few hours before. I was starving. I had no food with me. We came to the hospital with the bag that I had packed and that's it. It was shabbos. I didn't have my phone with me and even if I would have had it I wouldn't be able to call anyone to bring me something to eat. I was alone. I was tempted to call one of the nurses to ask them to look out for a Jewish girl who was visiting someone and see if they could go to the bikkur cholim room to get me something to eat. I just gave birth. I couldn't go myself. I was alone. And I was hungry. And I needed to eat.
I felt like crying. Where was I going to get food from?
Hashem, I said, I'm hungry. I need to eat. Could you please send someone to my room to give me some food?
I was close to tears.
Mi K'amcha Yisroel. It didn't take long for a volunteer from Yad Ephraim to come into my room with a bag full of food. She had grape juice for kiddush, danishes, cake and some warm mazel tov wishes for me.
* * *
Today is Ta'anis Esther. Picture the scene so many years ago. Put yourself in Esther's shoes. She is married to Achashveirosh and has to stand before him and make a request that would save her entire nation. The entire Jewish People is looking to her, relying on her for their salvation.
At that moment, she bursts into a prayer of "Keili Keili lamah azavtani"-Hashem, why have you forsaken me? Why did you leave me? Just at the time I need you most...I feel so alone!
What an emotional prayer. What could be worse than the feeling of loneliness? Than feeling that you have no one to turn to, no one who can help you?
Yes, as a Jew you should know that you can always turn to Hashem. You can daven to Him and beg Him for help. But sometimes...that's not enough. You need something real. Something to hold on to. Someone to hold on to.
And I think maybe that's why Hashem gave us people to rely on, people to turn to for emotional support. Even if there is no one who can actually do anything practical for you, whether it's for financial help, to find you your guy, to help you with a job, to get you into a school or just to help with something real, when you feel alone and you have someone to talk to, it makes such a difference. There is something about having a friend that makes the burden a little bit easier to carry. Yes, you still have to go through the challenge anyway but when you have someone walking alongside you, you feel less alone and you feel like you could do it.
We all have times when we feel alone. Yes, we should turn to Hashem and ask for help but when nothing is going to change-because sometimes the situation stays the way it is and you don't see a way out, you can know that Hashem gave you something to make it a little more bearable. A good friend.
Today, many people take out their tehillims and say Perek Chaf Bais-the 22nd chapter that begins with "Keili Keili lamah azavtani". When a Jew feels alone, he takes out a siddur, he takes out his tehilim and he turns to Hashem. But sometimes, many times, that's not enough. You need something real. And that's what a friend is all about.
The purpose of a fast day is not about the food and about how hungry you are. The point is to get you to stop and think. We are still in galus. We know that sinas chinam is one of the things that is keeping us from getting out. Don't we all want to leave?
Today, take a minute to focus on your relationships and think about how you can be a better friend. A good friend, a real friend.
May you be able to be there for your friends to support them through the tough times and to celebrate with them in the happy times.
Have an easy, meaningful fast.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Footprints - You Are Never Alone!
I posted this once before and wanted to share it with you once again.
Footprints In The Sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with Hashem. Scenes from his life flashed across the sky and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him and the other to Hashem.
When the last scene of his life had flashed before him, he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life there was only one set of footprints.
Dismayed, he asked, "Hashem, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."
Hashem replied, "My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you saw only one set of footprints...it was then that I carried you."
This is a very powerful piece of writing. You may have read it before but I thought it was worth posting for those who might not have seen it and for the message to be taken from it.
There are so many times that you may feel alone. You have to remember that you are NOT alone, you are never alone, no matter what you are going through. Always remember that no matter how hard your life is, there is Someone orchestrating every detail of your day and He is always there with you.
When things are difficult and you feel you have nowhere left to turn, turn upwards, towards your loving Father. Hashem is listening to you whenever you call out to Him. Speak to Him in any language. He understands all of them because He created them! You don't have to wait for the next chance to daven from a siddur. You can speak to Him throughout the day just like you talk to a friend. Tell Him what's on your mind. He loves hearing from you because you are His precious child!
And best of all, Hashem is never too busy for you. You don't have to schedule an appointment, wait in a waiting room full of people and keep checking your watch to see when He'll be available - because Hashem is ready to listen to you 24/7!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Why Do I Feel Alone Sometimes....
This was posted by Chaya Sara last year but has such a good message, I wanted to post it again.
Written by: Y.Roitenbarg
Rivka and Sara embraced each other enthusiastically when they met unexpectedly in Mexico. Both were far from their homes and families. Rivka was in Mexico on a business trip and Sara had come to visit her grandmother, who was ill. Onlookers who witnessed their joyful meeting assumed they were long lost-friends who had just reunited after many years.
They did not know that Rivka and Sara both live in the same town back in United States, and see each other around town often. However, back home, they hardly have time to greet each other or have lengthy conversations. Since they are busy with their own lives and different circle of friends.
They are not enemies, and they are not best friends; they are simply two people living busy lives, by chance-in the same town.
Interestingly, when Rivka and Sara found themselves far from home, both strangers on foreign ground, they greeted each other warmly. Here, they openly displayed their affection for each other.I n Mexico,where they both felt so alone, they recognized each other and felt so good that at least one familiar face around. They felt so much closer to each other because no one else knew them!! (It feels sooo good to go somewhere and actually know someone when you don't know anyone in the crowd!!)
The above analogy illustrates an often forgotten principal. We have an open invitation to bring Hashem into our lives, but when we are on "home ground",settled and comfortable in our daily routine, we hardly ever take the time to truly 'greet' Hashem and get to know him.
Hashem knows how to attract our attention. He knows if he singles us out and puts us to the test and bring us to 'foreign ground',we will feel alone and isolated. He knows too,that we will then turn to him,and embrace him like a long lost friend.
We will turn to him with all our emotions, and say please Hashem only you can help me!!!
The next time you feel alone, lost, and forlorn; remember you are alone with Hashem. Open your heart and embrace Hashem, and He will be there for you.
Sometimes Hashem really wants to hear from us and really wants to get close to us because it will make us the happiest. So Hashem moves us to a place where we feel like Help!! I'm so Alone I don't know what to do!! And then we just cry out to him with all our hearts and then we are zoche to see him right there waiting for us with open arms!!! he just needed you to notice him! when everything is fine why will you call out to Hashem only when things get crazy we wake up!!
If you have an alarm clock only if it rings will you wake up otherwise you'll just hang out in bed as long as you can!! As soon as someone comes with a cup of water (just kidding) you jump out of bed!! so too, Hashem does not want us sleeping out potential away so he makes us go through something where only he can help you and if you fill up your cup of zechusim with mitzvos you will be zoche to never feel alone!!!!!! Because he will be there for you every step of the way!!
Written by: Y.Roitenbarg
Rivka and Sara embraced each other enthusiastically when they met unexpectedly in Mexico. Both were far from their homes and families. Rivka was in Mexico on a business trip and Sara had come to visit her grandmother, who was ill. Onlookers who witnessed their joyful meeting assumed they were long lost-friends who had just reunited after many years.
They did not know that Rivka and Sara both live in the same town back in United States, and see each other around town often. However, back home, they hardly have time to greet each other or have lengthy conversations. Since they are busy with their own lives and different circle of friends.
They are not enemies, and they are not best friends; they are simply two people living busy lives, by chance-in the same town.
Interestingly, when Rivka and Sara found themselves far from home, both strangers on foreign ground, they greeted each other warmly. Here, they openly displayed their affection for each other.I n Mexico,where they both felt so alone, they recognized each other and felt so good that at least one familiar face around. They felt so much closer to each other because no one else knew them!! (It feels sooo good to go somewhere and actually know someone when you don't know anyone in the crowd!!)
The above analogy illustrates an often forgotten principal. We have an open invitation to bring Hashem into our lives, but when we are on "home ground",settled and comfortable in our daily routine, we hardly ever take the time to truly 'greet' Hashem and get to know him.
Hashem knows how to attract our attention. He knows if he singles us out and puts us to the test and bring us to 'foreign ground',we will feel alone and isolated. He knows too,that we will then turn to him,and embrace him like a long lost friend.
We will turn to him with all our emotions, and say please Hashem only you can help me!!!
The next time you feel alone, lost, and forlorn; remember you are alone with Hashem. Open your heart and embrace Hashem, and He will be there for you.
Sometimes Hashem really wants to hear from us and really wants to get close to us because it will make us the happiest. So Hashem moves us to a place where we feel like Help!! I'm so Alone I don't know what to do!! And then we just cry out to him with all our hearts and then we are zoche to see him right there waiting for us with open arms!!! he just needed you to notice him! when everything is fine why will you call out to Hashem only when things get crazy we wake up!!
If you have an alarm clock only if it rings will you wake up otherwise you'll just hang out in bed as long as you can!! As soon as someone comes with a cup of water (just kidding) you jump out of bed!! so too, Hashem does not want us sleeping out potential away so he makes us go through something where only he can help you and if you fill up your cup of zechusim with mitzvos you will be zoche to never feel alone!!!!!! Because he will be there for you every step of the way!!
Labels:
Alone,
Mashal,
Pain,
Relationship
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Footprints - You Are Never Alone!
Footprints In The Sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with Hashem. Scenes from his life flashed across the sky and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him and the other to Hashem.
When the last scene of his life had flashed before him, he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life there was only one set of footprints. Dismayed, he asked, "Hashem, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."Hashem replied, "My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you saw only one set of footprints...it was then that I carried you."
This is a very powerful piece of writing. You may have read it before but I thought it was worth posting for those who might not have seen it and for the message to be taken from it.
There are so many times that you may feel alone. You have to remember that you are NOT alone, you are never alone, no matter what you are going through. Always remember that no matter how hard your life is, there is Someone orchestrating every detail of your day and He is always there with you.
When things are difficult and you feel you have nowhere left to turn, turn upwards, towards your loving Father. Hashem is listening to you whenever you call out to Him. Speak to Him in any language. He understands all of them because He created them! You don't have to wait for the next chance to daven from a siddur. You can speak to Him throughout the day just like you talk to a friend. Tell Him what's on your mind. He loves hearing from you because you are His precious child!
And best of all, Hashem is never too busy for you. You don't have to schedule an appointment, wait in a waiting room full of people and keep checking your watch to see when He'll be available - because Hashem is ready to listen to you 24/7!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Why Do I Feel Alone Sometimes....
Written by: Y.Roitenbarg
Rivka and Sara embraced each other enthusiastically when they met unexpectedly in Mexico. Both were far from their homes and families.
Rivka was in Mexico on a business trip,and Sara had come to visit her grandmother,who was ill.On lookers who witnessed their joyful meeting assumed they were long lost-friends who had just reunited after many years.
They did not know that Rivka and Sara both live in the same town back in United States, and see each other around town often. However, back home, they hardly have time to greet each other or have lengthy conversations. Since they are busy with their own lives and different circle of friends.
They are not enemies, and they are not best friends; they are simply two people living busy lives, by chance-in the same town.
Insterestingly, when Rivka and Sara found themselves far from home, both strangers on foreign ground, they greeted each other warmly. Here, they openly displayed their affection for each other.I n Mexico,where they both felt so alone, they recognized each other and felt so good that at least one familiar face around. They felt so much closer to each other because noone else knew them!! (It feels sooo good to go somewhere and actually know someone when you dont know anyone in the crowd!!)
The above analogy illustrates an often forgotten principal. We have an open invitation to bring Hashem into our lives, but when we are on "home ground",settled and comfortable in our daily routine, we hardly ever take the time to truly 'greet' Hashem and get to know him.
Hashem knows how to attract our attention. He knows if he singles us out and puts us to the test and bring us to 'foreign ground',we will feel alone and isolated. He knows too,that we will then turn to him,and embrace him like a long lost friend.
we will turn to him with all our emotions, and say pls Hashem only you can help me!!!
The next time you feel alone, lost, and forlorn; remember you are alone with Hashem. Open your heart and embrace Hashem, and He will be there for you.
Sometimes Hashem really wants to hear from us and really wants to get close to us bec. it will make us the happiest. So Hashem moves us to a place where we feel like Help!! I'm so Alone I dont know what to do!! And then we just cry out to him with all our hearts and then we are zoche to see him right there waiting for us with open arms!!! he just needed you to notice him! when everything is fine why will you call out to hashem only when things get crazy we wake up!!
if you have an alarm clock only if it rings will you wake up otherwise you'll just hang out in bed as long as you can!! As soon as someone comes with a cup of water (just kidding) you jump out of bed!! so too, Hashem does not want us sleeping out potential away so he makes us go through something where only he can help you and if you fill up your cup of zechusim with mitzvos you will be zoche to never feel alone!!!!!! cuz he will be there for you every step of the way!!
Rivka and Sara embraced each other enthusiastically when they met unexpectedly in Mexico. Both were far from their homes and families.
Rivka was in Mexico on a business trip,and Sara had come to visit her grandmother,who was ill.On lookers who witnessed their joyful meeting assumed they were long lost-friends who had just reunited after many years.
They did not know that Rivka and Sara both live in the same town back in United States, and see each other around town often. However, back home, they hardly have time to greet each other or have lengthy conversations. Since they are busy with their own lives and different circle of friends.
They are not enemies, and they are not best friends; they are simply two people living busy lives, by chance-in the same town.
Insterestingly, when Rivka and Sara found themselves far from home, both strangers on foreign ground, they greeted each other warmly. Here, they openly displayed their affection for each other.I n Mexico,where they both felt so alone, they recognized each other and felt so good that at least one familiar face around. They felt so much closer to each other because noone else knew them!! (It feels sooo good to go somewhere and actually know someone when you dont know anyone in the crowd!!)
The above analogy illustrates an often forgotten principal. We have an open invitation to bring Hashem into our lives, but when we are on "home ground",settled and comfortable in our daily routine, we hardly ever take the time to truly 'greet' Hashem and get to know him.
Hashem knows how to attract our attention. He knows if he singles us out and puts us to the test and bring us to 'foreign ground',we will feel alone and isolated. He knows too,that we will then turn to him,and embrace him like a long lost friend.
we will turn to him with all our emotions, and say pls Hashem only you can help me!!!
The next time you feel alone, lost, and forlorn; remember you are alone with Hashem. Open your heart and embrace Hashem, and He will be there for you.
Sometimes Hashem really wants to hear from us and really wants to get close to us bec. it will make us the happiest. So Hashem moves us to a place where we feel like Help!! I'm so Alone I dont know what to do!! And then we just cry out to him with all our hearts and then we are zoche to see him right there waiting for us with open arms!!! he just needed you to notice him! when everything is fine why will you call out to hashem only when things get crazy we wake up!!
if you have an alarm clock only if it rings will you wake up otherwise you'll just hang out in bed as long as you can!! As soon as someone comes with a cup of water (just kidding) you jump out of bed!! so too, Hashem does not want us sleeping out potential away so he makes us go through something where only he can help you and if you fill up your cup of zechusim with mitzvos you will be zoche to never feel alone!!!!!! cuz he will be there for you every step of the way!!
Labels:
Alone,
Mashal,
Pain,
Relationship
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