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Passover never fails to teach me a new lesson. This year it wasn't about sin and leavening like it usually is, although the kidos and I did have a few discussions about it while preparing for the holy days. This year it had to do with Moses and that burning bush. We have been celebrating the festivals now for thirteen years. We have made following Torah to the best of our abilities such a part of our lives that my younger kidos remember nothing else. A blessing to be sure, but what I didn't realize is that I need to teach the basic bible stories. When I asked Deb about the burning bush, she didn't realize the significance of if. My bad. So now she does.
In contemplating Passover this morning I realized there is a bunch of stuff in that part of the story. There Moses was, satisfying his curiosity and realizes God is talking to him. And then when God is giving him his marching orders he says no! More than once! Even after showing him miracle after miracle! I am not the only person to say Moses was a little touched in the head to tell God no. But God's will is done. Nothing can stop Him, not even us whiny humans.
Like any parent, God got a little peeved at Moses, but He didn't change His mind. Instead, He provided a helper for Moses, someone to stand by his side and be strong where he was weak. And His will was done. The plagues, the covering, the release of His children and the long Exodus that follows. All to His purpose. All the picture of the Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus to come. Praise be to God.
My lesson was to do as God instructs. This year, we had a Seder at my house. I love hosting parties. I love to cook and have fellowship. We missed a couple of weeks at schul and everyone was "taken" by the time we got back. Darn. But then we found out that one of my daughters friends from Canada and her family were coming down and we invited them. They said yes and I was happy. They usually have places to stay while here and I didn't even think to invite them here. You see my house is "comfortable", "lived in", and my stuff is "well worn" and plain out old. Good enough for us, but not nearly good enough for company.
And then God said to me,
Invite them.
And I said I will help arrange a place for them to stay. And I did.
But then those plans fell through.
And God said
Invite them.
And I called around and things weren't looking good.
And God said,
Invite them!
Okay, but God, you know I only have one shower and the toilet upstairs is really ugly.
INVITE THEM.
FINE!
So I did. And I figured out sleeping arrangements and a dear friend even lent us an extra blow up bed.
Oh and by the way Rebecca, they will be bring others.
Ummm God, one shower, remember! And we are doing the Dave Ramsey thing so I can't really get a new toilet to replace that really ugly one upstairs and that would be 10 extra people and I just decluttered my closets and I don't have any extra blanket anymore, remember?
It will be fine.
Really God, cuz I'm kinda stressing here.
Trust me. I got you and extra bed, remember. You finished cleaning a day early, remember. That is a miracle. And remember you wanted a big Seder. Well you got one.
Dang, he got me.
So they came and there was plenty of room. And the blankets and sheets came out of no where and there was plenty of room and no one wet there pants, even if it did come close sometimes, and no one smelled of BO cuz we managed to get all the showers in.
And I had the most blessed time.
The fellowship was amazing. My heart and soul were filled. The conversations were amazing and fun and I learned so much. And it never became overwhelming, even when it was time to start the Seder and the lamb wasn't done. It was the smoothest Seder we ever had. And singing and rejoicing and kids playing and learning and man, that was awesome.
And I didn't want them to leave.
Ever.
But they did and now the furniture is all back where it belongs and all the kids are back in their beds and I can go potty whenever I want. And my house is quiet. Too quiet.
Thank you God for doing your will in my life. Even when I am a little touched in the head and say no.
Thank you for always teaching me a Passover lesson.
