Going Under

Newsletter April 3, 2022 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Today, I’m having surgery. Just a small outpatient procedure, that requires full anesthesia. A journey that invites all the questions. Not just the medical “whys” but the theological ones, too. Why is this happening? Why now? Why me? Questions that I began asking at the tender age of 9 years old when I was diagnosed with a 16cm teratoma tumor on my left ovary. At first, I tried to answer with scientific explanations. But then I realized that at some point, those end and we are left with quiet moments during the night. 

Many experience medical issues as a challenge for some time to get through, or get over.  Like a broken arm or a bout of the flu that presents for a time but then presents no further issues. 

But others are living daily with chronic illness: physical or mental ailments that subside and then return again and again. Keeping us on our toes, sensitive to the tenuousness of the quality of our existence. For us, we never experience a complete exodus through the pain or fear of our sickness. Rather, we experience a series of “savings” each year. Or sometimes each week. 

What this does, is it finely attunes us to the miracles of life each day. To the ability to take a breath without strain. To swallow without encumbrances. To have a moment when we are enjoying life without awareness of our pain. 

For these continual deliverances, we are grateful. On Passover, which begins this Wednesday night, our tradition encourages us to drink four cups of wine- one for each of the four ways we are saved from constricting places. “I will bring out…I will deliver…I will redeem…I will take out...” (Exodus 6:6-7)

In what ways are we saved daily? How can we shift our awareness away from the challenge side of existence to our blessing side, even for a moment?  

When we do, may we find a deep feeling of love from our Creator. In these moments may we find ourselves saying dayenu- it would have been enough even for this moment alone. 

This is how we are #keepingitsacred…

Together, we're #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news 

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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...