I come to the morning after Shabbat shirah, and the morning after te first Sabbath in a long time since I've gotten to rejoice at Temple Bethel, with a desire to be joyful in God. I was going to say a DETERMINATION, but this seems like a strange thing. At this time of year there is always the tempation to fall inot blackness, to be depressed at every little thing. The days are long and cold and, really, the future seems to promise on more hardship. In the past and sometiems in the present I employ all sorts of psychological tricks to make myself feel better, be more faithful. There is, of course, the guilt about beign faithless, being ungrateful. At these times I suppose its most important to simply simply dwell in God's rpesence, singing and humming and really preparign the heart for a good prayer service, preparing the soul to welcome God, preparing the place of prayer to be God's place. Tat's really the most important thing we can do.




Everything that seems to threaten us can be a sign to us. The fear f the future, the sorrow in the present can lead us to deeper prayer, deeper singing, a deeper surrender to the spirit of God, a deeper commitment to getting of our asses and really making it to shul and keeping our commitments with friends. We don't have to deny anything, but everything can be an invitation from God to enter the dance.