Friday 23 October 2015

Trust In Hashem!



Trust In Hashem!


Story told by a man which is most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.
He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: “Fasten your seat belts.”
Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, “We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.”
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, “As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.
Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid.”
The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied,
“Sir, my Dad is the pilot and he is taking me home.”
When you are sure of yourself, your confident level is steady and you are never shaky you do the things calmly and successfully. Hashem is our father. He is in the pilots seat. He is in charge and knows "exactly" where to go, what buttons to push. Etc. sometimes it looks bad and scary and people are frightened out of their wits but like the little girls faith she knows she'll be allright because dad is in charge! Hashem has a plan and we don't know who what when and where but that's Hashems department not ours. We as His children need just to trust that He knows what he's doing. 
Trust Hashem.  
Once we put our faith in Hashem, the pilot, we can sit back and feel relaxed and be stress free! What a wonderful feeling to be free of worry and know that our father, Hashem will take us where we need to be.

Who Is In Charge?

At least this lady recognizes who is in charge...


It's Thursday afternoon, and I'm preparing for Shabbos like every other week. But... this Thursday is different.

I usually have my Erev-Shabbos schedule down pat. I'm a very structured person and I like things to be just so.

This Thursday, though, my husband did the Shabbos shopping bein hasedarim because I am afraid of the Arab workers in Hachi Kedai.

This Thursday, my Chessed girl called to cancel because her seminary is in lockdown.

This Thursday, I am cooking for just us because my brother-in-law's Yeshiva is having a mandatory in-Shabbos as a result of the current situation.

This Thursday, I am not concerned about scheduling my baby's nap early enough so we can get to the park before bedtime, because all we mothers feel that the park is too exposed for our comfort.

I haven't gone out in a few days- I have been postponing all my errands.

I feel trapped; cooped up. And scared.

Everything is different.

Or is it?

I am reminded of another Thursday afternoon, two years ago. That Thursday, we were snowed in.

My husband did the shopping because I was afraid of the unsalted streets.

My Chessed girl cancelled because she could not get from her neighborhood to mine.

I cooked for just us because no guests were willing to brave the treacherous roads.

I made no plans to go to the park because the park was lost beneath a sea of white.

And I did not even attempt to run errands.

I felt cooped up just the same. But not scared.

And all those similarities got me thinking.

Weather is beyond my control, as are terrorists. And just like Hashem will decide without my help when there will be storm and when will be sun, so too He decides when and where the knife will pierce. Which plans will be thwarted and which evil intentions averted.

If He is not stopping those knives, there is a reason.

And if that knife is meant to pierce, the safety of my walls is no safety at all.

So the only thing we CAN control is how we respond to the message Hashem is sending us with such force. Paralyzing fear (my reaction till now) is understandable, but doesn't accomplish much. Instead, I am using this extended time indoors with my children to get to know them better, to play with them more. I am learning to feel proud of living here in fear- of staying in Eretz Yisrael when it's not comfortable. I am learning to value our emunas chachamim when I send my husband to kollel without too much fear because R' Chaim said talmidei chachamim will be protected. And I am learning to surrender control to Hashem.

It's a pretty important lesson. From the storms of anger, terrorism and snow, I learned my place.

Let us pray that Hashem now begins to show His ultimate control by bringing absolute Shalom and eternal peace to Klal Yisrael!

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