My Kids “Taking the Scenic Route” and Tefilat HaShla
My husband and I both did a lot of searching before we ended up as Orthodox Jews in our early twenties. I guess I thought, as the BT mother of FFB kids, that Josh and I had searched so our kids wouldn’t have to. Well, BTs plan and their FFB kids (at least my own) have laughed. Loudly.
When my kids were little, I said Tefilat HaShelah once a year, on erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan (which this year takes place today: May 10-11/Monday night-Tuesday sunset). And I remember how when I said it even once a year, it seemed SO impossibly long.Well, that’s definitely changed. For much of last year, I recited the Tefilat HaShelah every single day. I could unconditionally love and unflinchingly accept my kids who were (to quote Rabbi Menachem Nissel) “taking the scenic route” but I looked forward to that time every day when I could escape to the wooded park near my house and pour my heart out into this prayer. Please Hashem, may this scenic route lead my kids back home!And baruch Hashem, thank you Hashem, I’ve seen true miracles. I’m looking forward to reciting the Tefilat HaShla this year, to revisit it with less desperation, and more hope and gratitude.
Each of us has to develop a personal relationship with Hashem Yisborach.
זה קלי ואנוהו
“This is MY G-d אני והוא He and I become like one.
But if I rely on the relationship that my parents have with Hashem
אלקי אבי וארממנהו then He is too high and distant.
Boruch Hashem for the kids who developed a personal relationship with Hashem.
since I read this comment yesterday, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. thank you
I have heard a statistic (don’t remember from where) that most teenagers who go searching usually come back to being frum at some point within their 20s. I remember being 15, 16, 17, 18… all such difficult ages. I thought I knew everything and that my way was the only way 🙂
No tefilla goes unheard or unanswered!!!
BH may you continue to see miracles and only have nachat from all of your children and descendants.
amen, thank you!