Meshugge for my Mashiach

As the sun goes down...

Tomorrow is Friday, and my thoughts are already turned onto Shabbat. Every Friday that I can, I got to Shabbat dinner at a friend's house after work. And every week I am amazed again at the beauty that comes from the simplicity and serenity of the time we get to spend welcoming in the day of rest. One thing that always touches me deeply, no matter how often I hear it, are the blessings over the wine, the washing of hands, the challah and how they so eloquently turn our hearts in remembrance to Yeshua.
Another thing that always tugs on my heart strings are the blessings over those in attendance, and by far my favorite is the blessing that husband and wife say over each other. I remember at first the akwardness with which my friend's dad would bless his wife (We have only been doing Shabbat dinner for a short time)... It was understandable because we are not used to saying such words of praise in front of others so boldly. But to watch his wife was to get a glimpse as to how powerful those words were, not just because they are in scrpture, but because they were coming out of the mouth of her husband of 26 years...The glow on her face was unmistakable... and when it was her turn to bless her husband in return, the pride in her voice and in her bearing always brought a wistful smile to his face as he watched her read.
Sitting at that table, I look at my friend and her brother and think of how blessed they are that their parents have so determinedly chosen to model a life sold out to Abba for them. And I think of the responsibility it puts on their, and on my shoulders, to be the bearers of such a gift, to be a willing inheritance that will pass on the beauty, and mystery, and joy of walking with Adonai Elohim, to the next generation of believers...
Like my friend's dad blessed his wife, Abba speaks over his bride with words of affection to lift her out of whatever drudgery, whatever trials, she may have faced during the day that is this life.
As the last rays of the setting sun make their way through the leaves and the glow of the shabbas candles grows ever brighter, YHVH says again to his bride, "I have loved you with an everlasting love... Come to me, you who are weary, and I will give you rest... Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you..."
And we who hold on to this promise in our hearts, glow in the light of the Shabbas candles.

posted by Handmaiden @ 1:59 pm