Ruminations from the Temple

I'm grateful for life; if it were all over today, I would be grateful for the love I was able to see, give and receive. I'm grateful for love, most of all. I'm grateful that the LORD takes my humble attempts at writing and uses them for His purposes. I'm grateful for beautiful souls that are willing to listen to the prodding of the Spirit and pray for others. I'm grateful that my upcoming surgery is happening at a favorite and familiar hospital, though I'm not used to be being the patient. I'm grateful for a wonderful day spent with Taylor - what a sweet soul. I'm grateful for things that make me smile. I'm grateful to be available for others when I can. I'm grateful for the laughter of my children, the honesty of my friends and the unconditional adoration of my cats. I'm grateful I have food to eat today. I'm grateful for a hot shower with soap and shampoo. I'm grateful for a little bit of extra cash in my purse...

I stood at the hospital and looked out the window. Yes, it was raining again, just like many other times I have looked out a hospital window. There is just something about looking out a hospital window that makes one think introspective thoughts. How many times have I stood looking out a hospital window feeling the one in the bed behind me? Hearing the noise of the machines and the busyness of the nurses station just outside the door...thankful that I am not the one being monitored. It reminds me of my dear friend Rose who succumbed to cancer, which reminds me of my grandmother laying in her hospital bed...which reminds me of her husband in the bed, as well. Lord, is that just how it goes? I think of other windows, too. The huge windows at the airport that look out onto the tarmac along with my sweet mother-in-law watching the planes come and go as we prepare to say goodbye after a visit. Not a hospital visit this time, but a family visit. Goodbyes always feel like it should be ra...

my favorite shot of the eight nights It was a beautiful Hanukkah this year. The weather was pretty agreeable and everyone was well, for the most part. We had eight crazy nights of taking photographs of the candles and enjoying each others company, whether it was the quiet family celebration here at home, the sweet erev Shabbat with the Chaverim or the wonderful seventh-night party filled with friends, laughter, latkes and champagne. Good times...great memories. Yes, it was a beautiful Hanukkah this year.

I'm grateful for Hanukkah. I'm grateful for my camera that can capture our celebrations. I'm grateful for a safe place to meet and celebrate. I'm grateful for the Torah. I'm grateful for my friends on Facebook. I'm grateful for professional, skilled and compassionate medical professionals. I'm grateful for a misty December sunrise. I'm grateful for unexpected opportunities. I'm grateful that the LORD is still at work, and that He hears our petitions. I'm grateful for positive feedback on my writing. I'm grateful for the ongoing success of TRI . I'm grateful for a time of gathering with friends and family. I'm grateful for the good character and sense of justice in my children. I'm grateful for warm, fuzzy blankets. I'm grateful for cats that curl up into perfect circles to sleep. I'm grateful for solid doctrinal training. I'm grateful to discover new-to-me music. I'm grateful fo...

Like a wave and sometimes unexpected, compassion comes upon us in the strangest moments. Moved to care, prayer and action, compassion can start as a trickle and work into a torrent. Do we foster compassion within ourselves, somehow manufacturing it of our own strength and desire for righteousness? Or does it come from the source of all love Himself? I often wonder why some bear the weight of compassion and others do not. At times, it seems part of the human fabric to want to care, help and empathize with the hurt of another. But, is it wisdom or folly that drives us to reach out regardless of the consequences? Those much wiser than I have pondered these things, and their observations are certainly worthy of consideration and meditation on this cold, winter morning. Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling  what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin.  It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me  until th...

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;  on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. ~Isaiah 9:2 May this Hanukkah be one of joy and laughter, the kindling of candles  and re-kindling of beloved friendships. May that which was lost be recovered, the one who is wounded be healed, and the servants of the Most High be favored  by the light of His face. May the Holy One, blessed be He,  extend to us His infinite love, understanding and grace  as we celebrate, remember and honor this Feast of Dedication. Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, King of the Universe, Who gave us life, and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. Amein.

I should be on payroll with Facebook. No really; I have spent way too much time defending and explaining the ins and outs of communication and maintaining relationship on this giant of social media. I never expected to be in this position, I can assure you. I can say with all honesty that I learned these rules through rough-and-tumble experience - a hard lesson, it was. Relationship via social utilities can be sticky business. As with any form of communication between humans, things can be misconstrued, feelings can be hurt and respect and trust can be lost. I've even heard it described, not altogether inaccurately, as a minefield; one misstep and ka-blooey! And it happens to everyone once, and hopefully it only takes once to learn that there are definitely unspoken rules of engagement on Facebook (or any online social media, for that matter). 1.  Remember your public wall is public. Public is public, which means everyone and anyone can see. There are 'privacy settings...