Saturday, February 26, 2011
Milestones
February 27th we began our journey to Israel. We arrived Feb 28th, 2006, 5 years ago! Reflecting on it all is rather sobering. When I think of all the challanges of acclimating, the trials we endured, the transformations we've gone through, and what we have learned, it is numbing. I read an article recently that stated 50% of North American new immigrants to Israel, return within the first 5 years. I don't know if that information is accurate, but I wouldn't doubt it considering I have seen more people come and go than stay. And I can't count the number of times I myself have wanted to leave. Though I am fully grateful to the Almighty that we've been given the privilege to stay. Despite all my protests and complaints, God in His goodness has allowed us to enjoy the bad with the good, and not return to the mudpits of Egypt! Baruch Atah Yehovah!
Friday, February 11, 2011
All is vanity
Today my 11yr old son was sitting at the computer in the living room, with his hand raised. He then realized he was not in school, and no teacher was coming to answer the question he had about what was puzzling him. It gave me a chuckle but then I realized I am like a child sitting in a room with no teacher, with my hand in the air, waiting for answers. We are trained for years that someone has an answer to our problems, and simply raising our hand brings forth an answer. Instead of searching, and researching, instead of digging, studying, weighing out facts and seperating fiction, we take someone else's word as truth.
It reminds me of the scene in Fiddler on the Roof when Tevia is hearing an argument between a young liberal and an old conservative; "You know he is right" and then to the other, "and he is also right" but one interjects, "they can't both be right" to which Tevia says, "you know you are also right". I've been swamped with commentaries and debates and books. I see that he is right and he is right.
I think its time I put my hand down.
I don't want a bandaid. I want the cure! I don't want square pegs to fit in circle holes just because they can be made to fit. I want real truth. Real facts that line up and fit, not because I make them fit, or someone else did, but because its what is right.
When we came to Israel we thought we had "arrived" at some place of spiritual completeness. I soon realized that this was just the beginning and we had alot to learn. That process is only in its early phases. Each stage we go through teaches us that we have even more to learn, and we will never have "arrived". Israel continues to be our teacher. My mind, spirit, being, continue to be transformed by the many lessons offered in living life here.
As wise King Solomon teaches us; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further by these, my son be admonished; of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
It reminds me of the scene in Fiddler on the Roof when Tevia is hearing an argument between a young liberal and an old conservative; "You know he is right" and then to the other, "and he is also right" but one interjects, "they can't both be right" to which Tevia says, "you know you are also right". I've been swamped with commentaries and debates and books. I see that he is right and he is right.
I think its time I put my hand down.
I don't want a bandaid. I want the cure! I don't want square pegs to fit in circle holes just because they can be made to fit. I want real truth. Real facts that line up and fit, not because I make them fit, or someone else did, but because its what is right.
When we came to Israel we thought we had "arrived" at some place of spiritual completeness. I soon realized that this was just the beginning and we had alot to learn. That process is only in its early phases. Each stage we go through teaches us that we have even more to learn, and we will never have "arrived". Israel continues to be our teacher. My mind, spirit, being, continue to be transformed by the many lessons offered in living life here.
As wise King Solomon teaches us; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further by these, my son be admonished; of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
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