“God is with me; I will not fear.” These are the words that give us comfort at day’s end. When night comes and sleep follows, we are vulnerable to everything around us. Our doors are locked and our covers are pulled up tight, but it’s a time when all our senses are dormant. Who protects us? What prevents us from harm? During the days after Hurricane Ike, few things can comfort us except the knowledge that our families are safe. Still, our windows are open, the door alarms are off, and the streets are dark. Who hasn’t prayed even a little?
We did pray, “Oh God, let the power come on,” “Let me sleep without danger,” “Help the city leaders find their way.” These are prayers of our heart. We hoped that especially now our prayers would be heard and answered. It’s not easy to know if prayers have been answered when the city looks like it was shaken to its core. It’s also difficult to know if God heard when so many lives have been obliterated in the storm. But, it isn’t only about ease or comfort that proves God’s presence; rather, it’s how we feel God’s presence especially in times of crisis that helps us deal with the next moment and the next day. God’s presence is found in every helping hand, in every patient word, and in every deep breath at the end of every exhausting hour.
A colleague from out-of-town called me yesterday to ask how we were doing. He told me that his mother who lives in the city is alone with a special-needs child. He said that she had few provisions. I offered to pay her a visit and bring her some water and food. I found the house not far from my own. I knocked hard on the door so she would hear me. She opened quickly. I said my name and allowed a moment for it to sink in. Her smile grew and she reached out her hand to take mine. She said, “You’re a blessing. Come in!” She insisted we walk. We didn’t talk about the hurricane; we talked about everything from national politics to family matters. Our time was not about reviewing the hurt that Ike had wrought; rather it was about connecting to the rhythm of the world that had been stopped momentarily by the storm. A few moments of normal conversation made the hours of Ike temporarily disappear. Before I left, I told her that the Galleria was open. She was delighted. She planned on taking her daughter to a restaurant, one of her favorite excursions.
God’s presence was found in the encounter we shared. No doubt, God’s presence is found in all the places where people meet, on the streets, in the shelters, at the PODs, and in the prayers of those who can’t be here but who keep us in their hearts. Congregation Beth Israel is still without power, but not without the hope that God will provide us all with the human resources and faithful hearts we need to overcome everything that has been hurled upon us.
Shabbat services will be held at the Omni Hotel, on Woodway, where we have been graciously welcomed to worship with our Torahs and prayerbooks, our hearts and our souls. Join us if you can.
My dear congregants, the Rabbis and Cantor join me in praying for your strength and patience. We are here for you and you may call our homes if you need us. May God deliver us from this storm and show love and mercy on us and on our community. Let us all pray, “God is with me; I will not fear.”
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.
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