The past weeks have been filled with goodness and yet I have been challenged with more responsibilities than usual. Primarily my efforts have been focused on nursing Sid back to health and Baruch Hashem he is now pain free as his ankle continues to heal. We are praying that the x-rays next week show the anticipated progress to allow weight bearing.  

Months ago a visit by our 7 year old granddaughter had been planned. This was to be particularly special since she lives in Denver and was going to be here without her parents for 10 days!! Gramzy’s heart was singing with just the thought! Needless to say as the planned date came closer, given Sid’s accident, many conflicting thoughts and cautionary advice arose. Despite the words of doubt, plans for her arrival stayed in place.  

She is here now halfway through the visit and I can only say that God provides!! Even I could not have anticipated the boundless joy that emanates from that precious little person. It is so clear to me that God’s Love is being transmitted through her, a divine love that is inexplicable, even counterintuitive since clearly caring for a 7 year old may be difficult. Nevertheless, that’s how God’s Love works.   

God loves us and his creations are His Hands on earth delivering that love to each other. As we interact lovingly the circle of love continues, one to another and reciprocating. When this love is felt it causes us to even more adore Him for we become in awe of His love of us. We become able to recognize that its power is beyond explanation. We appreciate such undeserved love that somehow can change our lives in ways we can’t even anticipate. We boundlessly love Him as we recognize that He boundlessly loves us. That mysterious divine power of love somehow inexplicably fortifies us so that we actually thrive and live vibrantly beyond explanation and rationale. It enables us to overcome our human circumstances.  

God’s Love is that powerful. It can overcome all hardship. It heals us and brings us through hard times. When we recognize that it – His Love of us – is behind, above, through, and powering our relationships – we not only can overcome life’s hardships, but we actually live our lives so differently in the mercy of His Presence in this tangible form. We take chances in trust of that Love.  

I’ve loved watching Rabbi Rich’s teachings from Scripture through puppet Marty and his growing cadre of puppet friends introducing each week’s Shabbat school lesson. The children’s innocence and open hearts are what we as adults are to work toward in order to enter the gates of Heaven. That experience each week helps each of us to be reminded of our quest to regain hearts as loving and trusting as those of children.  

My granddaughter’s presence during these days in particular have transformed my days not only as a grandma, but through her I have truly been able to feel joy in the Lord as well. Our days of laughing joyfully together on the beach or just being silly have filled me with Him.   

I couldn’t help but notice the timing, this holy week of Passover and its proximity to Easter, the synchronicity, the real life metaphor of challenge and sorrow redeemed by our Creator, that has made these ponderings all the more powerful. The sweetness of a seder this year with the reconciled family that I am with during our stay in Florida as well as with our granddaughter here, l’dor v’dor, generation to generation, have not gone unnoticed.   

Just as our ancestors came out of bondage to freedom, so too my days of hardship though not ended have been given hope and inexplicable joy. As they were given days to journey and trust in Him, so too have I. Great joy followed great pain as our people, in particular, the next generation, entered the land of milk and honey, starting anew, rededicated to living lives closer to His teachings, commemorated in these days as well.  

Our Messiah Yeshua died on a cross after much suffering, rose on the third day as will be commemorated this week as well. His Glory reigns and powers all of our days with love and joy when we trust in Him as we anticipate the day when all will know His truth.  

Chag Pesach Sameach and Shabbat Shalom.  

Diane