SHABBAT NIGHT AT HOME ~ Yeshua Is Center of My Attention

The mood of a Shabbat Friday evening is an overlay of femininity, permeated with the aura of an espousing. It is chiefly a sensual time, where all the senses are engaged: abounding with good food, soft candlelight, songs that speak to the heart, quiet talk to feed the soul, and pleasure of both the physical and spiritual love.

Though I had, around age 7 and 8, suspected my family was Jewish due to the weekend rituals my mother always kept (special Supper meal, lighting of candles, adding an extra plate to the table ‘for Elijah’ during Passover, and extra company Friday evenings) – my mother always denied we were Jewish despite ALL of our birth names being Jewish in origin. I understood her denial – her mother’s family had been immigrants from Europe during the anti-Semitism upheavals in the 1940’s; but I was frustrated by her continual denials of what was obvious.

Going with my gut feeling – and having that gut feeling affirmed by a Jewish man who saw my Name on a check I wrote (he read it and asked, “Are you Hebrew?”), I started embracing Messianic Christianity in 1978 (I had been a Christian since 1965) … and Bob, after his 1981 salvation experience, joined me in finding/fellowshipping in Messianic Fellowship: first in Portland, OR. for 17 years – then later, in Vancouver, WA; where we had fellowshipped for 19 years, until Summer of 2017. The last communal Shabbat Friday Bob and I enjoyed together, was at Rehoboth; I haven’t been back to Rehoboth since: and I don’t think I will ever go back as a solo lobo.

I observe Shabbat at home now.

I do not observe orthodox Shabbat.

I am a Christian – a Jewish Christian.

“I Have Decided to Follow Yeshua”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jvfdDtoqY)

I observe the 24-hour Shabbat as Yeshua observed it.

I am not bound to religious traditions.

I have bound myself to Christianity – which is a personal relationship with Elohei, and setting the 7^th day aside in recognition of Yeshua’s Day of Rest from all His creation activities (Genesis 2): and the day He blessed for humanity to rest and allow their being to refuel and reenergize (Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 12).

“Lecha Dodi” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWmcQpzUMHY)

Psalm 92 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUzIHPqUn9c)

I bless my children and grandchildren … even though they dishonor me, and openly/publicly mock Yeshua.

My prayer for the adult’s (who are presently behaving like unruly brats) includes, “Elohim, forgive them: they know not what they do.” For the girls, I ask Elohei would cut through their foolishness … and make them like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah. For Azariah, I ask Elohei would place his hand on his life, and make him like Ephraim and Menasheh.

My hope is that someday their understanding will be illuminated; and they too, like Bob when his understanding kicked in, in 1981, will be saved and walk in Yeshua’s footsteps.

I welcome the peace of the Sabbath into my home.

Bob and I loved the message of the ‘Shalom Aleichem’ (Peace Be Unto You) song: “Angels of peace, may your coming be in peace; bless me with peace, and bless my prepared table. May your departure be in peace, from now and forever. Amen.”

“Shalom Aleichem” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H2-8IKIGlw)

I remember that even though Bob now rides the clouds and is no longer a true husband to me … all of our 44 years together, he declared his love to me and publicly stated his appreciation for me (even to his last day on Earth, while in OHSU).

For him, for as long as I was his wife, who walked Earth beside him, I became the woman in Proverbs 31:10-31; and I basked in his praise.

I miss Bob.

I miss that woman.

But, now, I bask in Yeshua’s Husbandly praise.

And I enjoy approval of a great host of witnesses.

(Hebrews 12:1)

My role is different now.

I drink a goblet of wine – red wine, on Friday evening. Red symbolizes the shed blood of Yeshua at Calvary, for my sanctification. The wine in and of itself – symbolizes joy.

I make Challah … 3-cord braided; to represent the goodness of the Triune Godhead – Father (Elohim), Son (Yeshua), & Spirit (Ruach Ha’Kodesh) = 3 in 1/God.

I meditate on Scripture – authentic Scripture – pre-obama era. I do not have in my home, or in my mind obamanite scriptures that were printed to preach a different gospel that panders to the perverse and debauched ... a different gospel that advocates sin and teaches that living a life in sin is okay.

I meditate on “old-school” Scriptures that were printed many, many generations ago, closely following the Torah and Early Church teachings closely guarded and handed down through time (the Yeshua era before and following His earthly birth/death) verbatim.

I stumbled across this vid, that speaks to the days we are currently living: it is a worth a listen.

“Is This the End?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp6isecYB3E)

I listen to Shabbat songs that honor the 24-hour period … and honor Yeshua in content.

“Yeshua HaMashiach – Jesus Is Lord”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-j_1e13qlE)

“Kadosh”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9995T-G4GdE)

“Yavo Eleinu”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTdnhzR64u0)

“Ata Tzuri”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4FLQ1dxyE)

This is His Day. 

A day He shares with me: to bless me. 

As the day fades and evening settles, I light my candle and look towards the Heavens.

Bob lives there now.

And someday, my bridegroom, Yeshua, will call for me also: whether I shed my earthly shell naturally … or He mysteriously gathers me to Him when He returns (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Either way, I am ready.

“He Will Hold Me Fast”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNi3ejUCYrY)

I long to see Him face-to-face.

“My Souls Longs for The Lord”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaVDsuUeE1A)

But until that day I honor my husbands, by honoring Yeshua with this 24-hour period where I put the world and all its lunatic craziness aside, and life in/with Him, as the center of my attention 😊

L'Chiam!

ENERGETIC WEEKEND

My ‘Island of Rest’ was a quiet space of bustling activity – here, in the PNW, we have to ‘make hay while the sun shines’: and that can be a tricky undertaking, as the sunshine in the PNW usually shines through briefly … and behind schedule 😉

I try to make sure all my weekly tasks are completed before Shabbat kicks in Friday evening; and I don’t plan on leaving my personal space (house and property) until Sunday rolls around – this is flexible, as this weekend proved 😊

I am a Messianic Christian, blending my Jewish heritage with my Christian Faith: I bend to the Will of Elohei, rather than to religious observances. Under the Law of Grace, I am not bound by the Shabbat ordinances … but I CHOOSE to incorporate the Shabbat ‘Island of Rest’ observance into my life for the refreshment it brings into my life: while, as a Christian, I have communion with Elohei 24/7/365; the Shabbat 24-hour period of rest is enjoyable, as well a necessary – during this span of time, time kinda stands still … passing in a slow pace, basking in Elohim’s favor, and reflecting on all God’s glory, faithfulness, love, and mercy.

I LIKE setting that 24-hour period of time aside to spend with my Father (Elohim) and my Husband (Yeshua): I am glad Yeshua thought of this ‘Island of Rest’ … taking time to make time for refreshing body, mind, and soul … concept when He had finished with Creation 😉

Friday morning blew in wet and stormy – getting out of the house was not going to happen; so, I did three loads of laundry … went outside to the shed, and pulled the eight metal trellises I use for pea supports in my garden area … and laced bird netting to them in preparation for my Spring garden:

Netting cut to fit trellis.

Securing bottom edge of netting against shifting, & lacing net to trellis.

Fitting top netting to curvature ... and FINISHED :-)

The last load of laundry finished drying as I tied off the last lacing knot on the last trellis 😊

I hauled the net-laced trellises back out to the shed – and walked the basket of laundry to the bedroom, and started folding/putting things away; and then settled in for a relaxing evening of Youtube black-n-white movies while I ate Supper.

After Supper dishes were washed and set to drip-dry, I finished up the preemie baby gowns I had started earlier in the week. Preemie babies have a special place in my heart.

I had a friend in high school who gave birth to a premature baby – that baby was so small, her adoptive father (the man who married my friend), could hold her in the palm of one hand: that little bit of humanity grew up strong and healthy … and is today, a mother, herself.

My youngest brother’s third child was a preemie – Jamie Lee was the size of a Barbie Doll when she was born … she looked so small and fragile in that incubator! Today she is in her thirties, is taller than I am, and weighs more than I do.

So, making these little preemie gowns brought back a lot of memories – and I knitted each one with love to honor the little warriors who will wear them.

Preemie Baby Gown - drawstring hemline; tiny sleeves .

Preemie baby Gown FINISHED.

Preemie Baby Gown FINISHED. Made for a Fall baby; Fall Button trims.

Starting 2 more preemie baby gowns ...

Saturday, the sun showed; so, I decided to get the primroses I had bought Wednesday, into the front garden beds:

Shasta Daisies cleaned up, and Primroses planted; 7 count between the 2 front flowerbeds.

Tete-a-tete Daffodils coming up amongst the Hens-n-Chicks at the base of the ornamental Maple.

The garden beds may not look so spiffy now, but they will look real pretty in a couple weeks when the dormant perennials spring to life in the warming weather. There are Cabbage-leaf Begonias, Shasta Daisies, Delphiniums, Calla Lilies (smaller variety), Carnations (mat type), Daffodils, Crocuses, Alliums (smaller varieties), and creeping Stonecrop sedum already established in each flower bed (I planted all those in 2017 after we bought this house – I brought those transplants from our previous home); the primroses will add early color to each front flower bed before the rest bursts forth with renewed life 😊

Also, when the rains let up, and the sun shines longer than an hour between rainy periods; I plan to tackle the moss issue on the flower bed decorative edges. People have suggested bleach to kill the moss … but I don’t want to damage my flowers. An internet search suggested using soda as a safe and effective moss killer, without damaging my plants: we’ll see – I’ll try that when I am assured the soda powder will have time to work its effects before the inevitable PNW rain showers wash it away.

Today – this Sunday, I am still enjoying my extended hiatus from socializing: either in person, or through social media; I am enjoying the solitude, and the rest from the world’s stressful madness.