Doable and Available

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

So many people have said they can't believe how much learning Emunah has changed their lives for the better. They feel bad that they didn't start learning about it earlier. They now live every day of life together with Hashem and there is so much more meaning behind everything they do. A young woman recently shared with me how she discovered Emunah and how her life has improved in so many ways because of it. About five months ago, she met a girl who she is now proud to call her good friend. They met at work and over many long and deep conversations, they forged a strong bond. She has an elderly grandfather who is very sick and she is watching as her beloved grandfather turned from a sweet little man who woke up at five every morning to pray and learn to a shriveled old man confined to his bed with an oxygen machine. She has been praying and crying so much. Her grandfather barely speaks but whenever she comes, he does, and the only thing he tells her about is that he wants to meet her chatan and dance at her wedding. She is currently 20 years old and has been in shiduchim for two years. She's enjoying her days as a single girl and not feeling at all pressured to get married. However, every time she steps foot through her grandfather's door, things suddenly shift and she feels desperate to get engaged. She really wants to fulfill the wishes of her grandfather to meet her chatan and come to her wedding. Every time she goes to him, he looks at her beseechingly as though begging her and blessing her all at the same time. And every time she leaves, she feels so bad, crying herself to sleep. One night, she described all of this to her new friend. She had been to her grandfather that day and he didn't look so good. He motioned to all the machinery he was hooked up to and he rasped, "You've got to hurry up." She left and cried for hours. She wanted to give her grandfather what he was asking for, but it wasn't in her control. So when she cried to her friend that night, the friend came up with a great idea. Since they both know everything is only in Hashem's control, they should work on strengthening their Emunah. They decided to start learning a book on Emunah every night. The first night, the friend read while she continued to cry. She didn't even have the book yet. The next day, she went to get the book with anticipation of the inspiration that it was going to bring. They read together two lessons each day and although they were from such different backgrounds, the timeless words connected them in a way they can't describe. They grew very quickly and she no longer felt that helplessness when she went to her grandfather. She felt much more confident and secure knowing that everything was in Hashem's hands. Her prayers took on a new dimension. She prayed with newfound energy and fervor knowing who the real Boss is. As they approached the end of the first book, they agreed to continue with the second volume. On October 30th, just a few weeks ago, they read the final chapter of the first book. The very next day, she got engaged. Baruch Hashem, her grandfather is alive and breathing, and with Hashem's help, was able to meet her chatan. The l'chaim was celebrated at her grandfather's house with just a few people. She watched as her dream came true, as her grandfather drank l'chaim and blessed them both. Emunah has changed her life in every way. She's so much happier, calmer and most importantly, more connected to Hashem. Everyone can experience these same feelings with Emunah. It is very doable and available to all.