It's a Year Already?

With today’s thoughts, this marks the conclusion of my first year writing a weekly blog. It has been equally challenging and educational for me, as I have learned much as I have pondered what might be something meaningful to share. I hope that I was occasionally successful in providing food for thought, something worth thinking about and perhaps acting upon. People have been very gracious in their responses, and at the end of the day, I appreciate that there are those who find my words worth reading.

It can be most demanding to write something weekly from scratch, that is, in addition to remarks/teachings/sermons for Friday evening, Shabbat morning and Sunday morning. Upon review of the year, what lofty message might I share with you today?

We are all in this together, this thing that we call life. There are people within different circles of our existence, namely family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and those in the service industry who meet our needs. While the frequency and intensity of these relationships will vary, there is one unique relationship based solely upon us – God. If you so choose, God can be present every moment of every day, or, God can be present only when you wish God to be present and open the welcoming door. The choice is ours to make. God is there when you awake in the morning, as we express gratitude that everything works(hopefully), and for the food that we eat. God is there when we ask for healing for those that matter to us. God is there when we don’t take all that is around us for granted but offer praise in appreciation. God is there when we are sick and when we are well, when we mourn a loss and when we celebrate a simcha, when we are less than kind to others and when we are thoughtful. The real question is rather simple: Do you choose to let God in? And if yes, how often?

As this year draws to a close, a new year soon appears on the horizon filled with hope and unlimited possibilities. We are given the opportunity to make a course correction, to partner with God to do our share to make this world a bit better than how we found it. May you find enriching ways to partner with God that improves the quality and meaning of your life, so that 5779 is a memorable year. To all my readers, L’shana Tova Tikatevu V’techatemu.