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| Everything happens on the Almighty’s schedule, not mine. |
Man plans and God… What?
.
We
all tend to think that if we ran the world, we would do it differently - all
major “natural” disasters and all new diseases come to reinforce one important
lesson – we are not in charge or, God runs the world. We need to recognize God
as the Ultimate Planner, the One Who is in charge - it’s all going to happen
whenever the Almighty decrees it should – and not a moment before or a moment
after. The way the Almighty is running the world is the best way to do so - sometimes
we forget this - so sometimes the Almighty has to remind us
by
Emuna Braverman
Man plans and God… well I don’t know if He’s
actually laughing but He’s certainly doing something; perhaps demonstrating Who
is really in charge.
After three months of literally going
nowhere, we were just starting to venture out.
We were even beginning to imagine a trip to
the east coast to see the children and grandchildren we have missed during this
time.
It may still happen (I’m praying) but when
California was added today to the list of states whose citizens are prohibited
from visiting New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, the prospects definitely
became dimmer.
And I was reminded of an idea that I know to
be true but sometimes forget: Everything happens on the Almighty’s schedule,
not mine.
Whether it’s marriage and children, their
marriages and their children, jobs – and now the ending of this pandemic and
the re-opening of the country, nay the world, it’s all going to happen whenever
the Almighty decrees it should – and not a moment before or a moment after.
Young children can’t wait to be older but
that doesn’t speed up the aging process, thank God.
We all know there is a reason that the proverbial
watched pot never boils.
It reminds us of this same lesson. And it
seems we need to learn it over and over again.
We can rail against it. We can lash out in
frustration.
We can “rage, rage against the dying light”
as Dylan Thomas advocated, but none of these actions will change reality.
None of them will make any difference to the
facts on the ground, although they may have an adverse effect on our character.
It's tempting to think that there must be
something we can do. It’s tempting to believe in the imminence of a vaccine.
But there’s an important distinction between
desire and hope and what we’d like to see happen.
Of course, a vaccine would be nice. What am I
saying? It would be amazing.
But it too will come (or not, God forbid)
according to the Almighty’s timetable – no matter how many scientists are
working on it and how much money is being thrown at it.
I definitely believe that all major “natural”
disasters and all new diseases come to reinforce one important lesson – we are
not in charge or, to put it more succinctly, God runs the world.
Perhaps we forgot for a minute. Perhaps we
got carried away with the power of our own intelligence.
Perhaps we began to believe in our own
actions. Perhaps we forgot to give credit where credit is due.
I don’t know. I just know that we need to recognize God as the Ultimate Planner, the One
Who is in charge and running this show.
Among my favorite Dr. Seuss books are “If I
Ran the Zoo” and “If I Ran the Circus”.
Not only did they give his imagination free
reign to create ever newer and wackier animals with corresponding silly names
but they also allowed all of us to imagine being in charge, to think how things
would be different, to ponder alternate choices, even alternate realities.
We all tend to think that if we ran the
world, we would do it differently, read: better.
I’m not sure we would populate with the type
of creatures Dr. Seuss chose but I’m sure we all imagine a kinder, gentler
reality; we all have a fantasy.
One of the challenges in situations like this
is not just recognizing our lack of control but understanding that this
particular situation is actually good for us, that the way the Almighty is
running the world is the best way to do so.
Sometimes (all too often) we forget this. So
sometimes the Almighty has to remind us.
It’s truly impossible to plan right now. We
just have to give ourselves over to the reality of the moment, to let ourselves
relax in the Almighty’s arms and bask in His embrace.
I still hope to go east to visit my kids
soon, but I know that it will happen whenever God wants it to happen, whenever
it is good for me, my family – and the world.
And not a minute before. I might as well be
calm and relax and let go… (Seriously? Who am I kidding?!)
Please
check out Emuna’s new book A Diamond for Your Daughter – A Parent’s Guide to
Navigating Shidduchim Effectively, available through Judaica Press
Emuna
Braverman
has a law degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in in Clinical
Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine
University. She lives with her husband and nine children in Los Angeles where
they both work for Aish HaTorah. When she isn''t writing for the Internet or
taking care of her family, Emuna teaches classes on Judaism, organizes gourmet
kosher cooking groups and hosts many Shabbos guests. She is the cofounder of
www.gourmetkoshercooking.com.
Do
you want to deepen your learning and enhance your connection to the land of
Israel? Join Emuna in February for a very special trip. Just a few spots
remaining. Sign up now: https://www.goinspire.com/trips/destiny-february/
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