Last week we looked at the importance of good leadership in bringing together diverse opinions. We used the metaphor of a parent and children in thinking about leaders and the important role they play in creating a world in which people can live together in harmony despite their differences. In tweaking that further in analogizing families to societies, another truth is that often children in the same family have had very different life experiences. Unfortunately, one child may have been favored over another for a long period of time. In those cases its even more important for a parent to nurture respect and fairness between the children. It’s important for a parent to help a child see the disadvantages experienced by another child even in the same family, whether they be emotional, physical, even financial inequities, just as in society some of us have had privilege while others of us have not. Such disparities are all the more reason for leadership that nurtures kindness and respect for the other, that works to right the injustices, to heal the wounds.

We are in a time of healing, a time of great need for healing. No one leader can accomplish what is needed at these times. It is through the workings of many, in any position possible, whether in a high political office, within your own community, or within your own family, that we are each in a position to be able to bring us all closer together, if not in our thinking, at least in how we interact with one another. Each of us can be leaders. We don’t have to be the president of our country. We teach others through our actions, our words, our conversations, and through these we share the most important lesson of how to love one another.

At last week’s oneg we had such an uplifting conversation sharing how to live with uncertainty. So many responses, from recognizing physical symptoms like teeth clenching, to deep breathing, humor, walks in nature, music, thinking outside the box, surrounding ourselves with joyful people, positive self talk, exercise, maintaining perspective, giving up the mirage of control, and most importantly seeking the solace and wisdom of Scripture and leaning into the comfort of HaShem through Yeshua. The pervasive feeling of life’s uncertainties seems palpable as a result of the election hullabaloo, but such times are part of being human. All of us have dealt with medical uncertainties, travel challenges, relationship ups and downs, job insecurity, recipe surprises, unpredictable weather, the list is endless. Need I even say the word “COVID”?

The balm for these times of uncertainty, after all efforts to bring about the right results have been made that we as humans are expected to do, is acceptance. In most situations subject to uncertainty, there is a day when all has been done that can be done. The outcome may still be uncertain, yet there is nothing we, as individuals, can do to change the outcome. It is at that point, after utilizing the appropriate tools in our toolbox shared above, that we work to completely lay the burden at His feet. Not an easy task. We like to be fixers. We prize self determination. Yet in our deepest sense, when we admit we can do no more, when we really do let go, let God, we can find peace. We can begin to heal. Even if the result is not as we would have intended, we can come to a place of comfort knowing all will be fine. He’s got this. He’s got you. He’s got all of us.

Shabbat shalom.
Diane