Last fall during the High Holy Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the time felt more special than usual. It seemed that spiritually uplifting experiences happened daily, even unusual dreams. These days of Passover are turning into a similar experience. Perhaps these are the times when our Creator is really trying to keep our attention on Him.

Last week I shared with you that my Seder plans this year were not as I had planned. Rather than spending first night Seder with my 97 year old uncle and his children (my first cousins) we were at Disneyworld for the week with Sid’s two daughters, their spouses/significant others, and our two grandsons ages 4 and 4 months. The week did not go as planned. Sid was sick for most of it and for other various reasons, not many of the days were spent at the Disney parks. Nevertheless, the days we experienced living together brought all of us closer together and closer to Him. In many ways the intimacy we all experienced was better than any Disney park, even for the children, as we learned how to communicate more lovingly during challenges.

I was excited to have first night Seder with this group, especially since it was both grandsons’ first Seders, even if only four year old Asa would be aware of what was happening. I had prepared the scene with plague finger puppets, his own felt version of the Seder plate, and of course, a wind-up jumping frog. As we started to tell the story, questioning arose not from him, but rather, from some of the adults, all of whom are Jewish. It was clear Sid and I were on a very different page spiritually than the rest of the family, and I’m not even referring to our being Messianic Jewish.

Suffice it to say that the interchanges were rich, non confrontational, but rather, mind opening, on both sides as I could so understand these other perspectives, actually seeing them from the perspective of the questioner. Yet what if HaShem used their point of the similarities of the Bible stories to previous folklore as precisely proving the point of God meeting mankind where we were at that time? Perhaps the familiar format made it easier to introduce belief in one God through Abraham and over time develop the Biblical accounts as mankind advanced.

No others at the table had heard of the scientific/climate evidence supporting the “splitting” of the Red Sea. Nor had they heard of the Shroud of Turin or the current phenomenon of the reach of The Chosen – over 200 million viewers and translated into 20 languages. That is, until first night Seder and the rich discussion.

As we continued to tell the story of Moses and the Exodus, I was looking for a connecting point with Asa. Then it came (thank you, HaShem) – Moses is a Superhero just like Spiderman! (Asa’s favorite). Now those eyes lit up! Asa was able to listen intently. The story could be heard.

A few days after everyone had returned to their homes, our son-in-law asked which streaming services they could watch to see the two shows I had mentioned – The Chosen and House of David. These programs don’t claim to be where one should learn the Bible, but rather, are art and entertainment intended to be in the spirit of what could have been some of the conversations and backstories consistent with the Bible.

How is it that The Chosen even interests hundreds of millions of people on a subject many of whom would otherwise not be interested in at all? It doesn’t matter what we think of the show. What matters is that so many are curious which creates more opportunities for God to meet His children where they are, even through media entertainment. On Wednesday Sid and I watched Season five, Part 3 of The Chosen’s The Last Supper in the theater during this holy week to Jews and Christians alike, another perfectly timed blessing during these special days. Such a soul wrenching, spirit growing telling of the story.

My best friend here in FL, a breast cancer survivor from over 20 years ago, was just diagnosed with lymphoma. She left today to start aggressive chemotherapy back in her home town. Yesterday, before Sid and I left for the theater, she asked if she could stop by to chat and say goodbye. Though she is not in our Bible study group we have had some great talks about the unseen realm.  With God’s perfect orchestration she “happened” to ask me what movie we were going to see. Mentioning The Chosen was a door opener leading to a discussion of my spiritual journey and so much more as she approaches this next challenging season, another incident filling this week with Him as He so intimately participates in our daily lives. Even today my hours have been filled with unusually deep faith discussions, uplifting the day above the mundane as has been the course of these days.

On Friday night Sid and I will be having 7^th night Seder with my cousin’s family and my uncle, as well as another of my first cousins who has not been very connected to her Judaism. Another opportunity to tell the story. Dayenu! Every other year my cousin has shared Seder with our Bible study group. This year she asked if I would lead it on Monday since she wants to know how it connects to Yeshua. I’m so looking forward to telling the story. Dayenu! Just this morning I received notice of a virtual CPM Seder tonight which I just attended by Zoom. Perfect timing! Dayenu!  Blessings on blessings. His Hand in it all.

The story of our redemption, God saving us, then and now, has so many touchpoints for connection no matter our world view, whether deep in or questioning. The stories of Him in our lives only keep growing us closer to Him as we open our eyes and ears to see and hear, our hearts to feel such love, such Presence. It is this inexplicable, unexpected, undeserved showering of such Love that cannot be denied. The affirmations or “coincidences” (God Winks) so abundant this holy week, and ever present at all times if we are actively participating in this Love relationship, do not just happen by chance. They are the evidences of the intimacy of our Creator’s relationship with each of us.

One Seder would have been enough. One God Wink would have been enough. How blessed that He unendingly meets us where we are and takes us to the next level with Him as the story continues to be told. What a story to tell.

Chag Pesach Sameach and Shabbat shalom.

Diane